TEHRAN, Dec. 17 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Minister of Health Saeed Namaki said Tuesday that Iran has enough reserve of "strategic medicines" despite the U.S. sanctions, Tasnim news agency reported.

Namaki was quoted as saying that all Iranian pharmaceutical factories and operating rooms have a reserve of "strategic medicines" enough to meet the demands until July 2020.

He noted that medicines' shortage in Iran dropped significantly this year compared to that of last year.

The Ministry of Health has managed to supply the necessary medical equipment and medicines despite the "cruel sanctions" imposed by the United States, Namaki added.

In comments in October, Namaki said Iran was exporting pharmaceuticals to countries in Europe, Africa and Central Asia.