Iran’s supreme leader has criticised the film American Sniper, saying the movie about a US soldier fighting in Iraq encourages violence against Muslims, a state-run newspaper has reported.

The comments by Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, published in the daily Iran Farsi newspaper, come amid renewed criticism of the West by the leader as his country negotiates with world powers over its contested nuclear programme.

The newspaper quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying he had not watched the film directed by Clint Eastwood and starring Bradley Cooper, but had heard about its plot from others.

The film focuses on the life of US Navy Seal marksman Chris Kyle, who with 160 confirmed kills is considered the most lethal sniper in American military history.

“The movie Sniper that is made by Hollywood encourages a Christian or non-Muslim youngster to harass and offend the Muslims as far as they could,” the newspaper quoted Ayatollah Khamenei as saying.

He also reportedly discussed neo-Nazis attacking Muslims in Germany, saying Muslims have no safety in the West.

“You are seeing what sort of propaganda there are against Muslims in Europe and the US,” he reportedly said.

American Sniper has been a sensation at the box office, earning more than $300 million in North America since its release in December.