Newspapers banned over rigging charge

Two leading pro-reform newspapers have been closed by Iran's judiciary for printing a letter by a defeated candidate who alleged the elections were fixed.

The liberal Eqbal and Aftab-e Yazd newspapers were prevented from printing late on Sunday by order of the Tehran Prosecutor's Office.

"Both papers published a letter which was critical of Khamenei," Issa Saharkhiz, a liberal journalist and former deputy culture minister, told reporters.

"We do not know if this measure only applies to today's issue or if it is a more long term ban," he added.

Criticising the Supreme Leaders is a crime and many journalists have been tried and dozens of newspapers closed in Iran for similar offences in recent years.

The letter - sent by moderate cleric Mehdi Karoubi, who came third in presidential elections on Friday - accused Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei of heading a system that abused people's votes, journalists said on Monday.

In his letter, Karoubi asked Khamenei to "give the order to prevent illegal intervention by a section of the Revolutionary Guards and prevent certain methods by the Guardians Council."

Karoubi also quit all his posts within the Islamic regime.

"Just as you banned the military being involved in the economy, I ask you to prevent a section of the Revolutionary Guards and Basij (militia) to engage in political activities, which is far more dangerous," he added.