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Iran Restricts Internet Access Ahead of Possible Protests

RFE/RL

   Iran has shut down mobile Internet access to overseas sites in several
   provinces, a day before possible protest rallies.

   The shutdown on December 25 was ordered by "security authorities,"
   Iran's semiofficial news agency, ILNA, reported, quoting a source at
   the country's Communications and Information Technology Ministry.

   According to the source, the shutdown covered the Alborz, Kurdestan,
   and Zanjan provinces in central and western Iran and Fars in the south.

   "According to this source, it is possible that more provinces will be
   affected by the shutdown of mobile international connectivity," the
   news agency said.

   It comes as social media posts and some relatives of people killed in
   unrest in November over gasoline price hikes have called for renewed
   protests and commemoration ceremonies for the dead on December 26.

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