TEHRAN, Feb. 5 (UPI) -- Internet users in Iran report their service is disrupted, with some cities saying Web access is cut off completely as Iran braces for mass protests Feb. 11.
Tehran blocked foreign media access in the wake of a contested June presidential election that gave rise to an evolving opposition movement.
With media outlets under state control, opposition supporters turned to social-networking sites like Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to relay information to the outside world.
Internet users in Iran said their e-mail accounts were unavailable with several cities reporting intermittent Web blackouts, reports Radio Zamaneh, an Amsterdam-based Persian news agency.
Radio Zamaneh was hacked by the so-called Iranian Cyber Army during the weekend.
The official Islamic Republic News Agency said the disruption in Web access was because of a faulty line, saying service should be slower during the weekend. Access to the semiofficial state news agency Web sites varied overnight.
Supporters of the so-called opposition Green Movement are said to be planning major demonstrations to mark the anniversary of the Islamic Revolution on Feb. 11.
Tehran said it would allow more than 100 foreign journalists to cover the Feb. 11 events.
