This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/8511921.stm

The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Broadcasters decry 'Iran jamming' Broadcasters decry 'Iran jamming'
(20 minutes later)
Three major international broadcasters have strongly condemned Iran for its "deliberate electronic interference" in their broadcasts.Three major international broadcasters have strongly condemned Iran for its "deliberate electronic interference" in their broadcasts.
The BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America said the jamming began on Thursday as Iran marked the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.The BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America said the jamming began on Thursday as Iran marked the 31st anniversary of the Islamic Revolution.
They said Iran was broadcasting freely around the world while denying its own people programmes coming from outside.They said Iran was broadcasting freely around the world while denying its own people programmes coming from outside.
Earlier, the US accused Iran of using a "near-total information blockade".Earlier, the US accused Iran of using a "near-total information blockade".
A state department spokesman said there were strong indications that the telephone network had been taken down, SMS messages blocked, and internet communication "throttled".A state department spokesman said there were strong indications that the telephone network had been taken down, SMS messages blocked, and internet communication "throttled".
"Iran has attempted a near total information blockade," PJ Crowley said."Iran has attempted a near total information blockade," PJ Crowley said.
We will not stop broadcasting accurate and impartial news and current affairs into Iran Joint statement by the BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America In pictures: Iran revolution rallies Iran claims uranium 20% milestone John Leyne on cyber warsWe will not stop broadcasting accurate and impartial news and current affairs into Iran Joint statement by the BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America In pictures: Iran revolution rallies Iran claims uranium 20% milestone John Leyne on cyber wars
"It is clear that the Iranian government fears its own people.""It is clear that the Iranian government fears its own people."
White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs meanwhile said that the web giant, Google, and other internet service providers had been "unplugged" in Iran.White House spokesperson Robert Gibbs meanwhile said that the web giant, Google, and other internet service providers had been "unplugged" in Iran.
Reporters Without Borders says the blocking of Google's Gmail e-mail system takes the drive to control cyber-space to a new stage.Reporters Without Borders says the blocking of Google's Gmail e-mail system takes the drive to control cyber-space to a new stage.
But the organisation claims that most Iranian internet users know how to sidestep censorship and access blocked websites.But the organisation claims that most Iranian internet users know how to sidestep censorship and access blocked websites.
Correspondents say a number of governments - notably China and Burma, as well as Iran - make strenuous efforts to block modern internet communications among their opponents.Correspondents say a number of governments - notably China and Burma, as well as Iran - make strenuous efforts to block modern internet communications among their opponents.
'Accurate and impartial''Accurate and impartial'
The BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America said the Iranian authorities' jamming was affecting services on the Hotbird satellite, which covers audiences across Europe and the Middle East.The BBC, Deutsche Welle and Voice of America said the Iranian authorities' jamming was affecting services on the Hotbird satellite, which covers audiences across Europe and the Middle East.
Advertisement President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad told a rally Iran was now a "nuclear state"
A policeman can be seen beating a man thought to be an anti-government protester - This video, posted on YouTube, cannot be verified by the BBC These include BBC Persian Television, the Voice of America Television Channel in Persian and Radio Farda; and Deutsche Welle's Television and Radio services. BBC World News - the English-language channel - was also jammed.
These include BBC Persian Television, the Voice of America Television Channel in Persian and Radio Farda; and Deutsche Welle's Television and Radio services. BBC World News - the English language channel - was also jammed.
"We condemn any jamming of these channels. It contravenes international agreements and is interfering with the free and open flow of international transmissions that are protected by international treaties," the broadcasters said in a joint statement."We condemn any jamming of these channels. It contravenes international agreements and is interfering with the free and open flow of international transmissions that are protected by international treaties," the broadcasters said in a joint statement.
"The Iranian authorities are using the same satellite services to broadcast freely around the world including broadcasts in English and Arabic; at the same time they are denying their own people programmes coming from the same satellites from the rest of the world," they added."The Iranian authorities are using the same satellite services to broadcast freely around the world including broadcasts in English and Arabic; at the same time they are denying their own people programmes coming from the same satellites from the rest of the world," they added.
They said they would not stop broadcasting accurate and impartial news into Iran, and would try every avenue to give their audiences in Iran the television services that they wanted. Footage said to show a policeman beating a protester
'Nuclear state'
On Thursday, a day-long security clampdown in the Iranian capital Tehran succeeded in preventing large-scale opposition protests as the nation commemorated the Islamic Revolution.On Thursday, a day-long security clampdown in the Iranian capital Tehran succeeded in preventing large-scale opposition protests as the nation commemorated the Islamic Revolution.
Advertisement The opposition turnout was dwarfed by huge crowds at the state-run celebrations in the centre of Tehran.
People gather at Tehran's Azadi square President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad addressed the rally, saying Iran was now a "nuclear state" and had produced its first stock of 20% enriched uranium.
The opposition turnout was dwarfed by huge crowds at the state-run celebrations in the centre of Tehran, which heard President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad announce that Iran had produced its first stock of 20% enriched uranium. But the White House said the assertion was based more on politics than science.
Mr Ahmadinejad declared that Iran was now a "nuclear state" and would soon treble its output of 20% enriched uranium.
Iran's atomic energy chief, Ali Akbar Salehi, later said it had the capacity, but not the intention, to enrich uranium to weapons standards. Have you been affected by the issues raised in this story?
The White House immediately rejected the assertion, saying it was based more on politics than science. Send your comments using the post form below.
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions