Iran celebrates revolution anniversary under media ban

The Iranian government said it will permanently suspend Google Inc's email service in the country, the Wall Street Journal reported on its website on Wednesday.

The report comes as Iran braces for new opposition protests on Thursday during rallies marking the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Protesters made use of modern networking tools such as Twitter and Gmail instant messaging last June after a disputed election plunged Iran into crisis.

Google is already at loggerheads with China's government after it threatened to withdraw from the country last month over claims of online attacks and issues over censorship.

Iran's telecommunications agency announced the suspension and said a national email service for Iranian citizens would soon be rolled out, the Wall Street Journal reported.

The Journal said it was not yet clear what effect the move has had on Google's Gmail service in Iran.

There was no immediate comment from Tehran, where it was after midnight when the news broke. Opposition leaders have called on supporters to take to the streets on Thursday, raising the risk of renewed violence.

Google did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The US State Department could not confirm the report, but said any efforts to keep information from Iranians would fail.

"While information technologies are enabling people around the world to communicate ... like never before, the Iranian government seems determined to deny its citizens access to information, the ability to express themselves freely, network and share ideas," State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said.

"Virtual walls won't work in the 21st century any better than physical walls worked in the 20th century."

Loudspeakers being put up in Tehran

The Reporters Without Borders organization reported that at least eight journalists have been arrested in the last few days and that a total of 65 reporters are detained in Iran at present. There are dozens more protestors and political activists being held by Iranian authorities.

Last month, two Iranians who took part in anti-regime riots were executed, while nine more were sentenced to death. The latest bloody riots took place a month and a half ago during which eight opposition activists were killed while clashing with security forces.

Another protest day

The Iranian authorities are under pressure and with good reason. The Islamic revolution anniversary which normally symbolizes unity and loyalty to the state is slated to turn into another day of conflict between opposition and security forces. Reformist leaders intend to use the national celebrations in order to publicly protest against the regime for rigging the elections and have called on their supporters to take to the streets.

It is estimated that over a million demonstrators will rally in Tehran and many more will protest in other central cities. The Tehran police chief said that opposition activists have been arrested ahead of the anniversary, not stipulating exact numbers. He warned that security forces will be spread in the capital's streets, some of which will be dressed in civilian clothing. On another occasion he noted that his men will not be tolerant.

Opposition reports suggest that large forces of Revolutionary Guards have also been deployed in Tehran. Loudspeakers have been installed on the capital's main avenue in order to drown out protestors' cries during President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's speech in the main square.

The 31st anniversary of the Islamic revolution is being marked amid growing tensions between Iran and the Western powers. The international community is attempting to put together a sanctions package over Tehran's refusal to suspend its uranium enrichment efforts.

Earlier this week Iran announced it has begun enriching uranium to a 20% level, which prompted harsh criticism in the West. US President Barack Obama said that agreements over the next round of sanctions will be reached in a matter of weeks. Russia also issued a statement Wednesday endorsing the use of sanctions.