TEHRAN, IRAN - Iran barred CNN reporter Christiane Amanpour Wednesday, saying it was in retaliation for U.S. treatment of Iranians who wanted to visit the United States.
Foreign Minister Kamal Kharrazi said it was ``normal'' to bar Amanpour -- though her network is American, she is Iranian-British.
Kharrazi told reporters, ``Some Iranian journalists and artists, including film director Abbas Kiarostami, were either denied U.S. visas or left waiting for months for a decision. We, of course, take this into account.''
Amanpour had been expected to accompany British Foreign Secretary Jack Straw during his visit to Tehran but had to get off the plane in Kuwait. Straw is on a swing through the region.
In a statement released by CNN in Atlanta, Amanpour said she was disappointed in the Iranian government's decision.
CNN spokeswoman Megan Mahoney added, ``We believe the Iranian goverment's decision to ban Ms. Amanpour is inexplicable and unjustified.''
Iran has imposed restrictions on journalists representing American media visiting Iran in response to restrictions imposed on Iranians seeking visas to the United States.
