Iran bans foreign media from anti-British rallies

Antara News, Fri, December 2 2011

Tehran (ANTARA News/AFP) - Iran on Thursday issued a ban on foreign media covering any further rallies in front of Britain`s diplomatic missions in Tehran after demonstrators ransacked the compounds this week.

"We are informing all foreign media representatives that attending demonstrations, particularly in front of the British embassy (and) Qolhak Garden (the British diplomatic residential compound) is not allowed unless previously authorised," the ministry for Islamic culture and guidance said in a statement.

It is the first time foreign media in Iran have been prohibited from covering pro-regime rallies.

Foreign news outlets have been put under many reporting restrictions since a disputed 2009 presidential election that led to civil unrest.

The ban was issued two days after hundreds of protesters holding pro-regime rallies in Tehran went on a rampage in Britain`s two diplomatic compounds, including the embassy.

The storming of the compounds resulted in Britain evacuating all its diplomats for their safety and ordering the closure of the Iranian embassy in London.

Editor: B Kunto Wibisono

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