Saudi-based Middle East satellite providers Nilesat and Arabsat have both stopped carrying the Tehran-based Al-Alam news channel, reports Asharq-Alawsat. Atif Al-Musawi, manager of the Al-Alam’s Beirut office, told Asharq-Alwasat that Al-Alam did not receive notification before their broadcasts were curtailed.

However, Khalid Balkhayur, Executive Director of Arabsat, remained vague as he explained that the broadcast was halted for “contractual reasons.” Many speculate that political matters were the motivation behind this move given the current tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran, as Al-Alam is an Iranian network.

Al-Alam claims it is “paying the price for its support of resistance in Lebanon,” reports YNet News. "[We] declare our solidarity with the channel and consider this a violation of freedom of speech and opinion," Hezbollah contended in a statement.

The president of the Arab Writers Union, Hussein Jomeh, has criticized satellite operators NileSat and Badr for their decision to drop Al-Alam, according to Iranian Press TV. "Any differences should be settled through dialogue and providing reasons. If we cannot find a rational solution to our differences, then how can we resolve our cultural differences with other nations?" he said.

Reporters Without Borders also criticized the Arab satellites' measure to drop the channel, Al-Alam announces on its website. Reza Moenian, a member of Reporter Without Borders, said, "What is important for this organization, is the freedom of the press and opinion."

Iraq-based Al-Nahrein radio and TV network also condemned the two Arab satellite companies for dropping Al-Alam, calling on them to apologize for their decision. In a statement released on its website, the Iraqi network described the move as "a mistake" and an "obvious abuse of freedom of expression and opinion."

Analysts say some Arab governments are worried about the channel's popularity and Iran's growing influence in the region. Iran and its allies -- namely Syria and Hezbollah -- have been locked in a regional power struggle with Saudi Arabia, Egypt and their allies in recent years.

Broadcasting resumed eleven days after the interruption on these two satellite channels following pressure from various media organizations..

Arabsat and Nilesat’s move, which provoked condemnation from the Iranian government, deprived Iran of a valuable tool in the ongoing battle for the hearts and minds in the region, claims Variety. The move against Al-Alam comes against a backdrop of escalating tensions between Iran and some Arab states, particularly Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

"You have Egypt, Saudi Arabia and their allies on one side with Iran and their allies on the other side and the media dancing in between," says Abdul Rahman Al-Rashed, general manager of Al-Arabiya. "I don't know how the media war can escalate anymore given that it is so tense already. It reflects the situation on the ground."