Life in General

Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has delivered a stinging attack on hit new war epic 300 in his country's New Year address.

The President appeared on TV in Iran yesterday and accused western powers of trying to "tamper with history by making a film and by making Iran's image look savage".

Ahmadinejad refused to mention the film by name, but it quickly became clear he was referring to the world's number one movie, which surrounds an ancient Greek battle between the armies of Persia and 300 stubborn Spartan warriors. The film has been hammered by Iranian critics, who have claimed the ultra-violent film insults their ancient culture.

Ahmadinejad weighed into the debate during his televised speech, stating, "By psychological war, propaganda and misuse of the organizations they have themselves created, and for which they have written the rules... they are trying to prevent our nation's development."