American authorities took down a range of Iran's state-linked news websites under unclear circumstances on Tuesday, news agency AP has reported. The crackdown on Iranian media may have far-reaching impact amid heightened tensions between the two countries.
Both the US and Iran officials have unofficially confirmed the take-down without giving any details.
The US seized roughly three dozen websites, the majority of which are linked to Iranian disinformation efforts, a US govt official told AP.
Iranian state-run news agency IRNA announced the US government seizures of the websites, without providing further information.
The takedowns come as world powers scramble to resurrect Tehran's tattered 2015 nuclear deal and just days after the election victory of Iran's hard-line judiciary chief, Ebrahim Raisi.