The Islamic Republic of Iran has suspended operations by the al-Jazeera TV network, accusing it of one-sided coverage of ethnic clashes in Iran's south-west Khuzestan province.
Three people have died in the clashes over the past few days, according to BBC. Al-Jazeera described the action as "surprising and unjustified", and added it would maintain its "editorial policy of airing the full range of opinions and covering current affairs in Iran objectively and fairly".
The television network is reported to have been the first to broadcast news of the demonstrations. The government is launching an investigation into al-Jazeera's coverage of the rioting.
"If it is proved that al-Jazeera committed a crime, it will be prosecuted," Mohammad Khoshvaght of the culture and Islamic guidance ministry told state television.
