Tehran  - The Iranian Culture Ministry on Wednesday closed down the reformist daily newspaper Kargozaran (Public Servants) over a critical report about the militant Palestinian group Hamas, the official news agency IRNA reported.

The daily had on Tuesday carried a statement by a reformist students' organization which criticized Hamas for endangering lives of civilians, including children, by hiding their forces in kindergartens and hospitals.

The report appeared at a time when the Tehran government is standing united against Israel and anti-Israeli demonstrations are being staged throughout Iran.

The Kargozaran daily is said to be close to Akbar Hashemi- Rafsanjani but the former president is well-known for his anti- Israeli stance. (dpa)