"Today the world media empire sees it as expedient to say Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, while the propagators know it is a lie," state television quoted the all-powerful leader as saying.

"Today the world media is totally monopolised by the ones who own the largest weapon factories and the most destructive atomic bombs," Khamenei was quoted as saying.

"The media, dominated by the ones who have money and force, portray America as the symbol of human rights and democracy while identifying Islam with terrorism," he added.

The West fears that Iran is trying to develop a nuclear weapon under cover of a civilian atomic energy programme.

But Tehran insists it only wants to generate energy, and argues that fuel cycle work for peaceful purposes is a right upheld by the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).

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