Twitter feeds Iranian protests

Proof of just how crucial Twitter is to the protestors in Iran was revealed this morning when it emerged that the social networking site has rescheduled its maintenance plans so that Tweets between Iranians and those to supporters outside the country won't be disrupted.

Yesterday, the site announced via its status blog that it would be carrying out essential maintenance at 12.45 ET, lasting for about an hour and half. But this was scrapped when it was pointed out that while the US would be asleep at this time, it would be Tuesday morning in Tehran - prime time for protestors starting the fourth day of their campaign against Friday's disputed election figures.

Aware that the service is now "an important communication tool" in Iran, Twitter took the decision to reschedule maintenance for tomorrow afternoon US time, which will be the middle of the night in Tehran.

The unprecedented move illustrates just how important Twitter has become to Iranians, both for organising rallies in support of Mir Hossein Mousavi, the reformist candidate defeated in Friday's presidential election, and spreading their allegations of vote-rigging in the face of an attempted crackdown on foreign reporting by Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's government.

Twitterers include 'Persiankiwi' who posted an update from the midst of yesterday's march reading: "Attacked in streets by mob on motorbikes with batons - firing guns into air - street fires all over town - roads closed". Others are posting photographs of the unrest on Twitpic, Twitter's affiliated picture blogging website.

Because the Iranian intelligence agencies are believed to be monitoring the website, Twitterers in Iran have been urging fellow users of the service worldwide to help sow confusion by setting their location to Tehran and their timezone to Iran.

Meanwhile Twitter's Western celebrity users, such as Stephen Fry and Demi Moore, are using their Twitter feeds to rally support for the Iranian protestors. Moore said: "My heart aches but I am inspired by the courage and strength of the Iranian people in the face of such opposition and adversity!" while Fry has forwarded updates from Iranian bloggers.