Iran has barred former president and reformist leader Seyed Mohammad Khatami from leaving the country, sources said.

Executive Secretary of Tehran's Vo'az (preachers) community Hojjatoleslam Abbas Amirifar announced that an Iranian intelligence official had told the community members Monday night that Khatami has been barred from leaving the country.

He quoted the intelligence official as saying that Khatami recently intended to leave the country, according to Fars News Agency.

However, no official announcement has been made in this regard.

According to some observers, Khatami, who served as president from 1997 to 2005, was barred from leaving the country because he supported the opposition movement that grew out of frustration with the outcome of presidential elections on June 12.