Iranians Protest Charlie Hebdo's Muhammad Cover

Iranians hold signs reading "I love Muhammad" during a protest against the printing of satirical sketches of the Prophet Muhammad by French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo outside the French Embassy in Tehran on January 19.

Hundreds of people have demonstrated in the Iranian capital against the depiction of the Prophet Muhammad in the French satirical magazine Charlie Hebdo.

The demonstrators, mainly students, chanted "Down with Zionist France" at the January 19 protest outside the French Embassy in Tehran.

Some demanded the embassy be shut down.

The cover of Charlie Hebdo's latest issue features Muhammad shedding a tear and holding a sign reading "Je suis Charlie" -- infuriating many Muslims across the world.

The slogan has been used by media outlets and millions of people worldwide to show solidarity with the 12 victims of an attack by Islamist militants on the weekly’s offices on January 7 and declare their support for freedom of speech.

Iran has condemned the attack on the weekly, but also criticized the cover of the issue released after the attack.

Based on reporting by AP and dpa