UK government says Iran blocked its website

Britain, which closed its embassy in Tehran last month after it was ransacked by protesters, said on Thursday that Iranian authorities had blocked its website aimed at Iran.   

The move creates further tension between the two countries that regularly clash over Iran's nuclear program.   

Britain's Foreign Office said Iranian authorities had barred access to a Foreign Office website, "UK in Iran" http://ukiniran.fco.gov.uk/en/, that carries information on British government policies and statements, including criticism of Iran's human rights record.   

It said the website had been added to thousands of other Internet sites censored by Iranian authorities.   

No comment was immediately available from Iran.    

"This action is counter-productive and ill-judged. It will confirm to the Iranian people that their government is determined to block their access to information, and to conceal from them the international community's legitimate concerns about Iran's policies and behavior," Foreign Secretary William Hague said in a statement.     

"It will also make it harder for Iranian nationals to access information about visiting the UK. And it is further proof to the rest of the world (of) the Iranian government's dire record on freedom of speech and human rights in general," he said.     

"This action will not deter Britain from continuing to engage with the Iranian people, including through the Internet."

Reuters