Iran Blocks Access to Facebook, Used by President's Campaign Opponents

"Every person became a medium on Facebook. It was completely new for Iran," said Maysam Allahdad, 28, a popular blogger from Tehran. He noticed people who he thought could not even turn on a computer registered for Facebook profiles.

"On Facebook, everybody discussed everything," Allahdad said. "Unfortunately, our government can't accept any other voices apart from those that they can control. Facebook made a difference."

"I wanted to keep in touch with my friends," said Nazanin Daneshvar, 25, who added 160 friends in three months. Many of them had left Iran, she explained. "Through Facebook, I saw where they were, doing what. Now I will write e-mails again."

Many Iranians use special software to reach government-blocked sites, but it seriously slows the already-sluggish connection speed, making it nearly impossible to watch video clips or flip between pages.

The government is attempting to revise the laws governing Internet use. Recently, Iran's parliament ratified an amendment to the media law requiring all owners of "e-publications" to register at the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance. It is unclear whether foreign Web sites used by Iranians also fall under that law.

"Facebook is not in the interest of the government," Behesti said. "Youths were being energized to vote, but not for them. So they closed it."

There was no official reaction.

"I don't have a Facebook page," said Ali Akbar Javanfekr, the president's media adviser. "I've never even heard of Facebook. Please ask someone else."

Elizabeth Linder, a spokeswoman for Facebook, told the Associated Press, "We are disappointed to learn of reports that users in Iran may not have access to Facebook, especially at a time when voters are turning to the Internet as a source of information about election candidates and their positions."