Iran becomes new focus of Prophet cartoon protests

TEHRAN, Iran -- Iran cut off trade ties with Denmark and Iranians pelted the Austrian Embassy with Molotov cocktails and stones on Monday in the latest protest over the publication of satirical cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad in European newspapers. The 200 protesters, chanting "God is greatest" and "Europe, Europe, shame on you!" smashed the embassy's windows with stones and then tried to hurl Molotov cocktails inside.

They exploded in flames against metal grills guarding the windows, but the fires were quickly put out by police with fire extinguishers. Austria currently holds the presidency of the European Union. Protesters also waved placards and shouted slogans against the EU's stance on Iran's nuclear program.

Anger has spread across the Muslim world over 12 caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad that were first published in Denmark's Jyllands-Posten in September and recently reprinted in European media and elsewhere in what the newspapers say is a statement of free speech. Islam prohibits any depiction of the Prophet Muhammad.

Source: [MSNBC]

U.S. State Department reaction

The United States condemned the protests Monday, as administration officials continued to walk a fine line between supporting free speech and calling the cartoons offensive. State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, "What we can do is to speak out very clearly in support of freedom of expression, freedom of the press, and urge understanding and tolerance -- not violence."

"We certainly at this time urge governments to take any steps that they might to lower tensions concerning this issue," McCormack said. He specifically said Saudi Arabia might be one of those countries that could help.

Iran has withdrawn its ambassador to Denmark and Iranian Commerce Minister Massoud Mirkazemi said on Monday that all trade with Denmark had been severed because of the cartoons, first published in September in a Danish newspaper.

"All trade ties with Denmark were cut," he was quoted by the Iranian student news agency ISNA as telling a news conference. Mirkazemi said from Tuesday Iran would stop any Danish goods from entering its customs' areas. Iran imports some $280 million worth of goods a year from Denmark.

Danish Prime Minister Anders Fogh Rasmussen has said he disapproves of the caricatures, but insisted he cannot apologize on behalf of his country's independent press. Trade ties were under review with all countries where the cartoons were published, Mirkazemi said.

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