Iran closes French institute amid conflict over Khamenei caricatures

The Iranian authorities have shut down a French institute in Tehran in reaction to caricatures of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei (pictured above) published by the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo, the Iranian Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday. They condemned the caricatures as an "insult to the symbols of sovereignty and national values" in shutting the doors of the IFRI research institute.

Tehran warned of consequences on Wednesday after publication of the caricatures, and the Foreign Ministry called in the French ambassador to express its disapproval.

Charlie Hebdo has repeatedly targeted Iranian politicians with its barbs and has been placed on a sanctions list by the Iranian authorities as a result.

On Wednesday, the magazine published a number of entries to its "MullahsGetOut" cartoon competition. One of them showed Khamenei trying to save himself from drowning in a sea of blood with a noose.

Speaking to broadcaster LCI, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said: "In France there is press freedom by contrast with what happens in Iran." Blasphemy did not exist under French law, she said.

The Foreign Ministry said it had yet to be informed officially of the shuttering of the IFRI. Describing the institute as a bastion of culture and exchange, it said its closure would be regrettable.

Relations between Iran and European countries have deteriorated since mass protests erupted in mid-September following the death in custody of a woman held by Iran's morality police on the grounds she had infringed the dress code. (dpa)