‘The US government, under the international norms and laws, is obliged to prevent the spread of religious hatred’

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast has condemned on Thursday the “abhorrent” act of burning Qur'an, the Muslim Holy book, in the US state of Florida describing the move as “blasphemous and repugnant”.

“Such radical acts are the result of Islamophobic moves in the US and those who have committed such crimes are contributing to US hegemonic plots, which seek to create a rift between divine religions,” Mehmanparast said.

“The US government, under the international norms and laws, is obliged to prevent the spread of religious hatred,” he said.

American evangelical preacher Wayne Sapp on Sunday set fire to a copy of Qur'an in a small church in Florida. Sapp, a member of the Dove World Outreach Center, claimed that the holy book had been found "guilty" of crimes in the course of an eight-month trial and was therefore "executed."

Terry Jones, the head of Dove World Outreach Center who had planned to burn Qur'an last year on the anniversary of September 11, 2001 attacks, was also present during the event.

This heinous attack sparked outrage in the Muslim world with millions demonstrating across the globe to denounce the desecration of the holy book.

The Vatican council had also blasted Jones' scheme as an "outrageous and grave gesture."