The United States and other Western countries have joined forces to block a controversial Internet treaty.

The United Nations Telecoms Treaty was passed by a majority of nations, including Iran, China, and the Gulf Arab States.

The U.N. said it would have given governments greater control over the Internet. But Western countries fear it would open the door for more restrictions and monitoring of Web commerce by authoritarian regimes.

More than 20 countries joined the United States in refusing to sign the treaty by the U.N.'s International Telecommunications Union.

Even so, many say Western dominance over the Internet needed to be addressed.

The results show a growing ideological divide among the 193 nations in attendance. It was the first revision to the code since 1988.

The head of the U.N. Telecoms group said he was surprised by the U.S.-led rejection of a global treat.