3 More Reformist Papers Shut Down

Iranian hard-liners shut down three more newspapers, pressing their campaign against publications that have fueled public support for reform. The closures, now numbering 16, are hampering President Mohammad Khatami’s allies’ political ambitions. Only one reformist paper is still publishing as campaigning begins for runoff elections next Friday that will decide 66 seats in the 290-seat parliament. The ruling hard-line clergy was stunned by the first round of voting in February, when reform candidates won about 70% of the seats.