US angered as Tehran blocks 'virtual embassy'

12 December 2011 Last updated at 12:55 ET Help

Last week the US state department launched a "virtual embassy" website, but within hours, the Iranian government blocked it to domestic users.

The US says it aims to offer information and foster dialogue with Iranian citizens - but an Iranian spokesman said it was an admission that the US authorities had made "a mistake in turning their back on the Iranian people".

The US embassy in Tehran was closed in 1979 when militants stormed the premises and seized dozens of American hostages.

Karen Zarindast reports.

This video was produced by BBC Persian's Aydin Salehi.

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