Iran seeks tighter control of foreign journalists

TEHRAN (AP) -- Iran's culture minister is seeking to tighten rules to supervise visiting foreign journalists.

A Wednesday report by the semi-official Mehr news agency quotes Mohammad Hosseini as saying tighter measures are being sought after an Israeli journalist reported from Tehran about the 2009 presidential election for a European news outlet.

Postelection turmoil in 2009 led the government to restrict access for visiting foreign journalists, many of whom left the country ahead of schedule.

Hosseini did not elaborate. He said 200 foreign journalists have applied to cover June's presidential elections.

The ministry has a final say on issuing credentials for foreign journalists seeking coverage of Iran.

Some 120 foreign media outlets maintain offices in Iran.