Investing.com - Iran plans to create a state-issued cryptocurrency, partly to sidestep impending economic sanctions from the U.S. According to Iranian media reports, a senior official in the government's scientific and technological affairs department says the currency could be introduced in the next three months.The idea reportedly gained momentum in February, following the launch of Venezuela's state-sponsored cryptocurrency.The first U.S. sanctions against Iran will take effect in August, as part of the Trump administration's decision to pull out of the 2015 nuclear deal with Tehran.Washington imposed sanctions against Venezuela in 2017 and then expanded them to cover its digital currency, the petro.