Iran’s culture ministry shut down a leading reformist newspaper on Monday ahead of an expected rally by the opposition to mark the anniversary of the US embassy siege in 1980.

The Sarmayeh newspaper has extensively covered the news about opposition leaders, including Mir-Hossein Moussavi, and their calls for a continuation of protests following the disputed results of June’s presidential election that saw Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad re-elected as president.