The foreign ministry in Iran has become the country's first government department to connect to the world-wide computer network, the Internet.

Correspondents say this is a significant step towards overcoming deep-seated suspicions and warnings from senior clergy that the Internet could be a potential threat to Islamic morals.

In July the government began a debate on what it called the constructive and efficient use of the Internet.

It has opened it up to popular use, although up until now the Internet has been reserved for the elite, and for universities and cultural institutions.