Mohammad Hossaini, the minister of culture and Islamic guidance, whose ministry oversees the Iranian print media and official news websites, said, “Our country is not in a position to allow the media to publish news or analysis that is not compatible with the regime’s and the nation’s interests.
“The situation regarding sanctions and other pressures, especially the impact on the economy,… requires more cooperation by the media so the country is not hurt,” Hossaini said in comments published on the dolat.ir government site.
“Soon we will hold a meeting with the nation’s media and economic officials so they are better informed about current conditions, especially the sanctions, so they can take into consideration the country’s national interest,” he said.
Hossaini’s comments marked the first time an official had openly used the impact of Western sanctions to justify media censorship.
Most of the media refrain from publishing information or credible figures on the impact of sanctions, but sometimes they cite statements from business leaders that give some insight into how the embargoes are hurting.