Report: Iran cuts mobile internet in some provinces

Authorities in Iran have shut down mobile internet service in some provinces over security concerns, semiofficial ILNA news ncy reported Wednesday.

report quotes an unnamed official in country’s Telecommunications Ministry as saying cut could be extended to more provinces if security officials decide it's necessary.

NetBlocks.org, which monitors cyber security and internet governance, confirmed ongoing mobile internet disruption in parts of Iran starting Wednesday morning.

move came as foreign-based opposition groups have called for protests Thursday. Those protests would coincide with 40th day since anti-government protests that began after government tripled price of gas.

Amid protests, government cut internet service for more than a week across country.

ILNA report said mobile internet service was shut down in Kurdistan, Alborz and Zanjan provinces as well as Shiraz city. provinces and city were scenes of unrest during protests.

Iran has confirmed re were deaths among some protesters during unrest, but it never gave a death toll. Amnesty International says more than 300 people were killed in clashes and authorities detained more than 7,000 people.