Iran rejects claims it inflamed violence

IRAN yesterday rejected US and Danish accusations the government had inflamed last week’s violent protests against western embassies in Tehran over caricatures of Mohammed and demanded an apology.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid Reza Asefi singled out comments by US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and said Denmark should apologise to help calm the furore that has erupted over the images that first appeared in a Danish newspaper four months ago.

"What happened was a natural reaction. Rice and Danish officials should apologise. Such comments could worsen the situation and an apology could alleviate the tension," Mr Asefi said.