TEHRAN (IRNA) -- The director of Iran's Veterinary Organization, Hossein Hassani, on Wednesday strongly denied reports claiming Kuwait has banned imports of Iranian fish.

The official told IRNA that exports of various kinds of Iranian fish to Kuwait were continuing.

The foreign media had reported that Kuwaiti authorities had banned imports of Iranian fish due to the risk of contamination of certain diseases, including cholera. Dismissing the reports as based on rumor and attempts to manipulate the market, Hassani said that "unfortunately tradesmen resort to rumors to defeat competitors and kick them out of the market."

He said the reports were taken note of by Iranian authorities, who sent a letter to pertinent Kuwaiti authorities asking for an explanation on the matter.

"Kuwaiti officials, including the health minister, said they had no knowledge of any ban imposed on Iranian fish imports and strongly denied the reports," the official said.

Assuring that Iranian fish were safe for export to Kuwait and posed no health risks, Hassani confirmed that exports of various species of Iranian fish to Kuwait were continuing.

Iranian fish are not only exported to Kuwait but to many European countries as well, Hassani said.

He said that exports of Iranian fish were properly supervised by the country's veterinary organization and assured all shipments were safe from health hazards.