Sputnik - Western media's coverage of Iran under reimposed US sanctions does not reflect the current reality, Iranian Culture Minister Abbas Salehi said on Monday.



"The narratives of�Western media of�the Middle East developments are different from�the reality on�the grounds�. We should coordinate the subjects and contents in�order to�create an opportunity for�the balance of�power," the IRNA news agency quoted Salehi as�saying on�the sidelines of�the Organization of�Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) meeting in�Tehran.


According to�the official, Western media was painting a false picture of�Iran under�Washington's sanctions.

Sanctions Against Iran

In May, US President Donald Trump announced his country's decision to�leave the Iran nuclear agreement and reimpose sanctions against�Tehran and other countries doing business with�Iran. The first set of�economic restrictions, including a ban on�purchasing US currency, trading in�gold and other precious metals, buying aluminum and steel for�industrial purposes, and performing activities related to�Iran�s sovereign debt, took effect on�August 5. The second portion, including sanctions on�Iran's port operations, energy sector and foreign transactions, will be effectuated in�November.

After the sanctions took effect, some Western media have reported that they were having a devastating effect on�Iran's economy, including the collapse of�the Iranian rial, inflation and power shortages.

Iran has refuted reports on�the economy being influenced by�US restrictions. In August, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei attributed his country's current economic problems to�internal factors rather than�sanctions.