Rome/Tehran - Around 100 demonstrators attempted Tuesday to attack Italy's embassy in Tehran before they were blocked by Iranian police, according to Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini. Television images showed dozens of men pelting stones at the coat- of-arms above one of the embassy's entrances.
The demonstrators were shouting: "Death to Italy! Death to (Prime Minister Silvio) Berlusconi," Frattini said speaking in Rome.
There was not serious damage to the embassy, due to police intervention, he said.
During a visit to Israel last week, Berlusconi said his country - currently Iran's biggest trade partner in Europe - would support sanctions against the Islamic Republic's nuclear programme.
Frattini said similar demonstrations had taken place in front of the Dutch and French embassies.
The Italian embassy would remain open despite the demonstration, Frattini added.
