Authorities in Iran, where few US films make it past the country's zealous censors, have given the go-ahead for cinemas to screen Mel Gibson's "The Passion of the Christ", newspapers reported on Thursday.
Permission was granted to show the film uncut with Persian subtitles by the Culture and Islamic Guidance Ministry after it was studied by a panel of experts, the newspapers said.
The film has aroused heated debate, particularly among Jews who say it will stoke anti-Semitism by reinforcing the theory that the Jews pressured the Romans to crucify Christ.
Analysts say Jewish anger at the film has encouraged many Islamic countries to break their strict censorship rules and allow The Passion to be aired uncut.
Kuwait and Bahrain have banned the film and only one cinema has agreed to air it in Israel. But in most other Middle Eastern countries it has been a huge hit.
In Iran, The Passion will face stiff competition from "The Lizard" an award-winning Iranian comedy satirising the country's conservative clerics which is smashing box office records.
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