Tehran blocks Britain's website in Iran
AFP
LONDON- Iran has blocked the British government website aimed at the Islamic republic, London said Thursday, several weeks after the British embassy in Tehran was shut after being stormed by protesters.
Foreign Secretary William Hague attacked the "counter-productive and ill-judged" decision by Tehran to block the Foreign Office's "UK in Iran" web page.
The website contains information about British government policy, including statements critical of Iran.
It marked another deterioration in relations after the embassy storming on November 29 and repeated clashes over Iran's nuclear drive.
Following the attack on the British embassy, Hague ordered the closure of the mission and of Iran's embassy in London.
Hague said in a statement that "Britain's website in Iran has now been added to the list of thousands of other Internet sites deliberately censored by the Iranian authorities.
"This action is counter-productive and ill-judged.
"It will confirm to the Iranian people that their government is determined to block their access to information, and to conceal from them the international community's legitimate concerns about Iran's policies and behaviour.
"It is further proof to the rest of the world (of) the Iranian government's dire record on freedom of speech and human rights in general."
He pledged Britain would not be deterred from continuing to engage with the Iranian people, including through the Internet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
It marked another deterioration in relations after the embassy storming on November 29 and repeated clashes over Iran's nuclear drive.
Following the attack on the British embassy, Hague ordered the closure of the mission and of Iran's embassy in London.
Hague said in a statement that "Britain's website in Iran has now been added to the list of thousands of other Internet sites deliberately censored by the Iranian authorities.
"This action is counter-productive and ill-judged.
"It will confirm to the Iranian people that their government is determined to block their access to information, and to conceal from them the international community's legitimate concerns about Iran's policies and behaviour.
"It is further proof to the rest of the world (of) the Iranian government's dire record on freedom of speech and human rights in general."
He pledged Britain would not be deterred from continuing to engage with the Iranian people, including through the Internet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------