VENTURE BEAT - Mar 15 - Apparently bowing to government pressure, Apple has blocked Iranian users from accessing its App Store. While the decision does not appear to be fully voluntary on Apple's part, it comes after nearly two years of smaller-scale removals of apps submitted by Iranian developers, which were previously attributed to U.S. sanctions. Apple does not have an official presence in Iran, and like other companies, has long been restricted in doing business there due to U.S. sanctions. However, the sanctions do not completely ban Apple products from use in Iran, as Apple's legal page currently notes that "certain services, software, and hardware incident to personal communications," including some Apple goods and software, are allowed to be sold in Iran to certain people for specific purposes.