Teheran, Sept 4, SPA -- Iran condemned the hostage taking in Beslan and branded it contrary to religious values, the news agency IRNA reported Saturday. In a message to his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, President Mohammad Khatami said such terrorist acts ran against human principles and expressed condolences to Putin and the families of the victims. The Iranian foreign ministry also condemned the act and said killing innocent people could not be justified for any reason. --SPA 1350 Local Time 1050 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/197970