Special Report: Iran Nuclear Crisis    

    TEHRAN, June 2 (Xinhua) -- Iran on Monday ordered a three-day suspension of the semi-official Fars news agency for false reporting, the state news agency IRNA reported.

    The Fars news agency was temporarily banned because of "broadcasting false report and disturbing public opinion," IRNA quoted an official with the Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance as saying.

    The decision of the ministry was sent to Fars at 11:30 a.m. (0700GMT) and was immediately put into effect, The IRNA said.

    The IRNA, however, did not elaborate which report led to the suspension.

    Meanwhile, a governmental news Website Borna said Fars on Sunday carried a story saying Iran's Central Bank Governor Tahmasb Mazaheri was stepping down and being replaced by Vice President Parviz Davoudi.

    Authorities later denied the replacement and Fars also reported the denial.

    Iran, which has a myriad of newspapers, Internet news sites and news agencies of all political colors, has seen a string of media closures.

    The moderate labor news agency ILNA and the daily newspaper Ham Mihan were shut down in July 2007. The authorities also closed down Shargh (East) daily in August for publishing an interview with a well-known Iranian expatriate poet.

    In March 2008, authorities banned nine cinema and lifestyle magazines for publishing pictures and stories about foreign celebrities and promoting "superstitions."