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Iran has lifted its ban on Facebook after blocking it to prevent supporters of a moderate in the presidential race from using it for his campaign.

"A few minutes ago Facebook was unblocked," Ilna news agency reported. The agency is considered to be close to the reformist candidates running in the June 12 election.

On May 23, it reported access had been prevented because "supporters of Mir Hossein Mousavi were using Facebook to better disseminate the candidate's postions."

Mahmoud
Ahmadinejad

Mousavi, a moderate, is becoming the main rival to conservative President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad who is seeking a second term in office in next month's election.

When questioned about the ban at a news conference on Monday, Ahmadinejad said he was "unaware and would investigate" the matter.

In November, it was reported that the Iranian government was blocking in excess of five million websites for hosting content that it deems as unethical and anti-Islamic.

Iran has a population of about 71 million and has around 20 million Internet users. Most of the Internet users in Iran have found ways around blocked sites by using proxies and alternate addresses.

Reporters Without Borders ranks Iran near the bottom of its worldwide press freedom index at 166 out of 173 countries.