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By Reuters, 04/21/99

For the latest coverage of the tragedy in Littleton, Colo., see our coverage in The Boston Globe's Boston.com. Wednesday's coverage -Rampage reconstruction -Families mourn victims -Colo. gun law debate -What went wrong? -False 'warnings' on AOL -Clinton speaks on massacre -World reactions Globe coverage -Need for prevention -TV coverage -'A suicide mission' Background -Map of Littleton -List of injured -Shooting chronology -Past school shootings -What was 'Trenchcoat Mafia'

TEHRAN - Iran's state television allotted 10 minutes to the ''tragic'' U.S. school shooting at the top of its main news program Wednesday, blaming it on the widespread depiction of violence in American movies.

''A shocking and deadly tragedy in American society,'' said a reporter, referring to the killing of at least 15 people at a Colorado high school Tuesday. ''Our fellow citizens keep calling to express their repugnance over this tragedy and ask for more details.''

The television ran a special program to denounce the abundant use of violence in U.S. films, which it blamed for the ''wave of crime'' in Western societies.

Iran's government is sharply critical of the sexual and violent overtones in Western entertainment, seeing them as anathema to Islamic values which it seeks to promote.

But despite strict official bans, Western music and films are popular in Iran and widely available on the black market.