YAZD, Yazd Province Iranian President Mohammad Khatami's brother on Friday hit out at a wholesale press closure in the country, saying it has deprived people of information sources and led them to rumor-mongering and spreading lies.

Mohammadreza Khatami, deputy speaker of Majlis and head of the nation's largest pro-reform caucus, said in this central city that the press closure was a "bitter experience" for the Iranian nation.

He blasted the Judiciary for its half-hearted handling of the banned press and said, "The Judiciary has even worsened the situation."

The Judiciary has thus far closed more than 25 periodicals, mostly pro-reform, and jailed dozens of journalists since a sweeping crackdown launched in April.

MP Khatami further denounced the trial of jailed journalists and writers, saying the proceedings is illegal.

The newspapers flourished after President Khatami appointed in 1997 Ataollah Mohajerani as culture and Islamic guidance minister. Culture Ministry is responsible for issuing licenses for periodicals.

Last December, President Mohammad Khatami accepted the resignation of his best ally after rejecting his attempts to step down earlier in the year, just before the Judiciary launched a sweeping crackdown on the press.

Mohajerani survived an impeachment last year when the Majlis was still in the hands of conservatives angry over his "laxity" in controlling the press, whose licenses are issued by this ministry?

Last Wednesday, President Khatami drew up a list of nominations for five cabinet positions for parliamentary approval.

(IRNA)