TEHRAN (IRNA) -- The sanctions imposed on Iran for the nuclear program are not the reason behind the country's electricity shortage, Minister of Energy Parviz Fattah said.

Speaking in a news program on TV, the minister said saturday evening that the current power shortage in Iran was not related to the sanctions.
""I honestly announce that drought is the main cause of this year's electricity shortage,"" Fattah said.
The minister blamed the current drought in the country, the incomplete power plant construction projects as well as long delay in construction of new power plants as the main reasons behind the routine blackout occurring throughout the country.