Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei delivers a speech in Tehran on April 21. On Monday he discouraged Iranian youth from studying music, directing them toward science and sport instead. (Office of the Supreme Leader/Associated Press)

Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said Monday that music is "not compatible" with the highest values of the Islamic republic.

In a statement in response to a 21-year-old follower who was thinking of starting music lessons, Khamenei urged youth to spend their time learning science and "healthy recreations" such as sport instead of music.

"Although music is halal [compatible with Islam], promoting and teaching it is not compatible with the highest values of the sacred regime of the Islamic republic," he said, according to the semi-official Fars news agency.

"It's better that our dear youth spend their valuable time in learning science and essential and useful skills and fill their time with sport and healthy recreations instead of music," he said.

Khamenei has not previously expressed such an extreme view on music, but when he was president, he banned Western-style music, forcing many stars to go into exile.

He is also believed to be guiding President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in his crackdown on music. As the supreme religious leader in Iran, he has the final say over matters of faith and politics.

Iran's Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance has refused permission for the distribution of thousands of albums in the past 18 months and gives few permits for public concerts.