Iran's state telecoms monopoly has ordered tough new restrictions on Internet use, requiring service providers to block some sites and barring access to the Web for under-18s.
Regulations issued by the Iran Telecommunications Company order Internet service providers to filter all materials presumed immoral or contrary to state security, including the Web sites of opposition groups, the Hambastegi newspaper said.
The new rules say ISPs who do not strictly comply risk losing their licences and facing court action.
Police closed down more than 400 Internet cafes in Tehran last month demanding owners obtain licences to stay in business. There are estimated to be around 1,500 Internet cafes in the capital, with more in other major cities.
The cafes are popular with the overwhelmingly youthful population of the Islamic Republic, where the state media is tightly controlled by conservatives.
