Iran’s culture minister has reiterated his support for Facebook, saying the popular social-media site should not be banned.

In remarks to reporters in Tehran on November 15, Ali Jannati said he used Facebook regularly and that an overseer body should meet soon to resolve the legal issues and lift the existing ban.

He said Facebook was not a “criminal application.” Jannati has previously advocated that all social-media networks, such as Facebook and Twitter, be accessible to Iranians.

Iran banned Facebook over alleged abuse by the opposition during the 2009 unrest following the disputed reelection of then-President Mahmud Ahmadinejad.

Facebook is officially blocked by the Iranian regime, as are thousands of other websites.

However, this has not stopped Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif, from having Facebook pages.

Based on reporting by AP and RFE/RL’s Radio Farda
RFE/RL