Iran ‘permanently suspends’ Gmail

The Wall Street Journal has posted a report on its Web site that Iran intends to shut down Google Inc’s email service in that country.

Iran has announced that it intends to install in its place a state-sponsored email service.

The move to an email service run by Iran’s telecommunications agency is assumed to be in anticipation of anti-government protests forecasted for February 11th, the anniversary of the Islamic Republic.

The move follows other reports that recent disruptions in information services, including the confiscation of mobile phones and rooftop satellite dishes, have been aimed at opposition members.

An Iranian official commented that the measure is designed to “boost local development of Internet technology and to build trust between people and the government”, the Wall Street Journal reported.