Iran has decided to ban the word 'wine' in books - there's just one slight problem

Iran’s culture ministry has decided to ban the use of the word “wine” from any books published in the country.

The ministry of culture and Islamic guidance has also decided to censor the names of “foreign animals” and dignitaries.

The government say the new rules are designed to protect Iranians from a western “cultural onslaught”.

Mohammad Selgi, the head of book publishing at the ministry of culture and Islamic guidance, said:

When new books are registered with us, our staff first have to read them page by page to make sure whether they require any editorial changes in line with promoting the principles of the Islamic revolution, effectively confronting the Western cultural onslaught and censoring any insult against the prophets.

Words like wine and the names of foreign animals and pets, as well as names of certain foreign presidents are also banned under the new restricting regulations.

How they plan to write the legislation for this ruling maybe slightly problematic, however:

Most likely to disapprove of the ban on "grapey fuzzytimes drinks" will be the French.

Francois Hollande, president of the nation famous for wine, made headlines in November for cancelling dinner plans with Iranian president Hassan Rouhani after a dispute over the menu.

According to France's RTL radio, the Iranians insisted on a wine-free meal consisting of halal meat.

HT Telegraph