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Iran 'plans to sue Hollywood' over movie Argo

Iran plans to sue Hollywood over the Oscar-winning movie "Argo" over its "unrealistic portrayal" of the country, according to Iranian media reports.

Several news outlets, including the pro-reform Shargh daily, claimed French lawyer Isabelle Coutant-Peyre is in Iran for talks with officials about a possible lawsuit, the Associated Press reported.

Argo producers George Clooney, Grant Heslov and actor-producer-director Ben Affleck. Credit: Lionel Hahn/ABACA USA/Empics Entertainment

Following the 1979 attack on the US Embassy in Tehran, 52 Americans were held hostage for 444 days, but a handful of embassy staff were sheltered by the Canadian ambassador. Argo recounts their escape as they used a fake movie as a cover story.

Shortly after Argo was awarded the Oscar for Best Picture in February, Iranian state media dismissed the film as an "advertisement for the CIA".

The semi-official Mehr news agency also described the Oscar at the time as "politically motivated" because First Lady Michelle Obama helped present the award.