Iran temporarily restricts access to social media to control protests

LONDON: Iran will temporarily restrict access to some social media and messaging apps to control protests, Iranian state television quoted an informed source as saying on Sunday.

“It has been decided in the highest security level to restrict access to Telegram (messaging app) and Instagram,” the source said.

Read More: Iran warns protesters who pose major challenge to country’s leadership

Tens of thousands of Iranians have protested across the country since Thursday against the Islamic Republic’s unelected clerical elite and Iranian foreign policy in the region. They have also chanted slogans in support of political prisoners.

Demonstrators initially vented their anger over economic hardships and alleged corruption but they have also begun to call on Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to step down.

Street protests have spread to the capital Tehran with crowds confronting police and attacking some state buildings, and a social media report has said two demonstrators had been shot dead in a provincial town.

Read More: Protests hit Tehran, two demonstrators reported killed in Iran town