TEHRAN — Iran’s decision to block access to Facebook — less than three weeks before nationwide elections — drew sharp criticism Sunday from a reformist opposition hoping to mobilize the youth vote and unseat President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.
The decision, critics said, limits the information available to Iranians ahead of the June 12 election. It also appeared to be a direct strike at the youth vote.
Young voters are strongly courted by top reformist candidate, Mir Hossein Mousavi.
“Every single media outlet that is seen as competition for Ahmadinejad is at risk of being closed,” said Shahab Tabatabaei, a top aide for Mousavi.
Tabatabaei said the Face book block was “a swift reaction” to a big Mousavi rally Saturday in a Tehran stadium.
Iranian authorities often block specific websites and blogs considered critical of the Islamic regime, but critics of the latest decision said the loss of Facebook — and possibly other sites popular with reformists — means Iranians must rely on the government for information.
“Facebook is one of the only independent sources that the Iranian youth could use to communicate,” said Mohammed Ali Abtahi, a former vice president.
