The US has accused Iran of seeking a "near-total information blockade" to silence anti-government protesters.
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Friday, February 12, 2010
Opposition supporters have clashed with security forces as Iran marked the anniversary of the 1979 revolution.
The US government said it had information that the telephone network was taken down, SMS messages blocked, and internet communication "throttled".
China and Burma have also been accused of blocking internet communication.
Analysts say some governments make strenuous efforts to block modern communications among opponents, with varying degrees of success. The Iranian opposition had called its supporters on to the streets to mark the anniversary of the Iranian Revolution, with clashes reported in Tehran as well as other cities.
Reports suggest opposition rallies were dwarfed by the huge turnout to hear President Mahmoud Ahmedinajad address the official celebrations. State department spokesman PJ Crowley told reporters: "Iran has attempted a near total information blockade.
Hundreds of thousands of pro-government Iranians rallied to mark the 31st anniversary of the country's revolution. President Ahmadinejad used the rally to attack the West, and said Iran had produced its first stock of 20% enriched uranium.
Mr Ahmadinejad told the crowds Iran was now a "nuclear state" and would soon treble output of 20% enriched uranium. The opposition tried to stage counter-demonstrations, but faced a big security crackdown, and several of its leaders were attacked.
Official events were held across Iran, but the main gathering was at Tehran's Azadi Square. State TV showed tens of thousands of people filling the streets. Amateur footage purportedly showing opposition protests has been appearing on the video-sharing website YouTube, including at least one rally in the Tehran underground.
Anti-government websites urged marchers to display green emblems or clothes - the colour adopted by the opposition movement after the disputed election on 12 June last year. Deadly clashes erupted after the poll, and have taken place sporadically since then.
Correspondents say the situation is now a stalemate, with the opposition showing it is still around and cannot be kept off the streets.
The government is not used to such protests and is infuriated by this, they add, although opposition support appears not to be enough to overthrow the government.