Iran: Dissent by tweet and text

OPPOSITION supporters are using all means they can to subvert attempts by the Iranian authorities to stop them communicating with each other and the outside world.

Websites such as Twitter and Facebook have become a focal point for young, urban Iranians opposed to president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"Alert: Mousavi march still on. 5pm," read one short message, or "tweet", on Twitter yesterday.

"Don't take cars, they will be waiting for you when you return to them," read another, as tweets on the Iranian election poured on to the site every few seconds.

The government blocked SMS text messages during polling after opposition candidates used them to galvanise key young voters, and Tehran residents were still unable to send texts yesterday.

The BBC's Persian service was also blocked.

Twitter said yesterday it was delaying a planned upgrade to avoid cutting daytime service to Iranians. The US State Department said it had encouraged Twitter in this action.

More than 23 million of the population of 70 million – more than 60 per cent of whom are under 20 – have access to the internet.

• Twitter users can follow the latest tweets from Iran by searching for #iranelection