NEW YORK, Nov 9: Iran is cracking down on Internet communications, one of the country's last forums for free speech and a crucial tool for local social activists, Human Rights Watch said on Tuesday.

According to the New York-based watchdog, the Iranian authorities are arresting activists and "bloggers," or weblog writers, in order to cripple a growing network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs).

"The Internet has been a gateway for outreach and information sharing with the Iranian public," said Joe Stork, director of Human Right Watch's Middle East and North Africa Division.

"With so many NGO activists arrested or under surveillance, the remaining members of civil society fear for their safety," Stork said.

In the case of Internet-related arrests, Human Rights Watch said the authorities were detaining contributing journalists and technicians rather than higher-profile political leaders under whose names the websites operate.

Iranian judicial authorities have given differing reasons for the arrests, citing spreading propaganda, inciting national unrest and "moral crimes."-AFP