Iran protests: social media access restricted

Iran has moved to restrict social media networks that have been used to organise three days of anti-establishment protests.

The restrictions on messaging app Telegram and photo sharing app Instagram are “temporary”, state news agency Irib reported.

The decision was taken "to maintain tranquillity and security of society", a source was quoted as saying.

The protests have been the biggest show of dissent since huge rallies in 2009.

They began in the north-east as an outcry against economic hardship and rising prices, but turned political in many places, with slogans chanted against Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, President Hassan Rouhani and Iran's interventionist foreign policy in the region.

After violence flared in many places on Saturday, there was little sign of further demonstrations on Sunday.

Source: BBC