Google Chrome, Picasa and Earth Now Available for Download in Iran

Google has announced that it will begin offering some of its software in Iran where it was previously unable to, due to US restrictions. Now, Google Chrome, Picasa and Google Earth will be available for download to Iranian users. The move is possible due to some relaxation on restrictions on export to Iran, one of the countries the US refuses to do business with.

"Some of those export restrictions have now been lifted and today, for the first time, we’re making Google Earth, Picasa and Chrome available for download in Iran," Neil Martin, Export Compliance Programs Manager at Google, announced.

Google says that the move will enable more people to connect to the web, access information and communicate which can only be a good thing.

More choice means more freedom, Google believes, which is especially important in countries where this freedom is threatened.

"We’re committed to full compliance with U.S. export controls and sanctions programs and, as a condition of our export licenses from the Treasury Department, we will continue to block IP addresses associated with the Iranian government," Google added.

This means that, for now, other software downloads from Google will still be restricted. What's more, commercial services are still blocked in Iran, since US businesses are forbidden to operate in the country, so there's no AdSense, AdWords or Checkout coming to Iran any time soon.

The relaxed restrictions came after the 2009 Iran elections which were a subject of international dispute thanks to online tools like Twitter and, to a degree, Facebook.

"YouTube and Twitter were cited by journalists, activists and bloggers as the best source for firsthand accounts and on-the-scene footage of the protests and violence across the country," Google explained.

In 2010, the US administration began allowing businesses to offer online services in Iran, things like instant messaging and photo sharing. This has now been extended to some desktop software as well.