Iran’s Foreign Ministry has spoken out against the cartoon of the Prophet Mohammad on the latest cover of Charlie Hebdo, declaring that in the West there is abuse of freedom of speech.

The Fars News Agency reports that on Wednesday January 14, Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham said that Iran firmly condemns any terrorist attacks, then added: “Meanwhile, we also condemn provocative actions. What this magazine did is highly insulting and we completely condemn it.”

On Wednesday, a week after the attack on the Charlie Hebdo offices, which killed 12 people including four prominent cartoonists, the magazine was published on Wednesday with an image of Prophet Mohammad holding a placard that says: “I am Charlie” while a title above states: “All is forgiven.”

Afkham said the cartoon “provokes ill feelings and injures the feelings of Muslims around the world”. She went on to say that this act “perpetuates the cycle of extremism in the world”.

Afkham called for respect for what is held sacred by different religions.

Radio Zamaneh