The Associated Press reported on 9/30/12 in an article entitled “Iran touts domestic Internet as Gmail ban rankles” that Iran had blocked access to Gmail. A few hours later, the same link brings up an article entitled “Iran swipe at Web brings angry reply.” The second or updated article seems not to be well edited, and it assumes without stating that Gmail is blocked. The focus of the later version is that even some government ministers are upset, presumably because they can’t access their email. It also notes that service blocks put pressure on the government to first complete its alternative to the World Wide Web, stating: “But it is unclear whether Iran has the technical capacity to follow through on its ambitious plans, or is willing to risk the economic damage and the social shock waves.” In short, “trying to block Google’s popular Gmail appeared to be a swipe too far,” notes the Associated Press.
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