Iran VP: Iranians Are 'Friends' With Israelis

[foundit66]

TEHRAN, Iran — Iranian media are quoting the country's vice president as saying Iranians are "friends of all people in the world — even Israelis."

It is a rare comment from a government official in Iran, whose president regularly calls for Israel's destruction.

Several newspapers and the official Web site of Iran's tourism agency on Monday attributed the comment to Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashai, who is in charge of Iranian tourism and historical sites.

It is believed to be the first time an official Iranian government Web site has carried an expression of sympathy by an Iranian vice president toward Israelis.

Mashai stressed, however, that his comments did not constitute recognition of Israel's legitimacy.

In late July, Mashai made similar comments, saying: "Iran wants no war with any country, and today Iran is friend of the United States and even Israel.... Our achievements belong to the whole world and should be used for expanding love and peace."

President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad prompted international criticism when he said in 2005 that he believed Israel would one day be "wiped off the map."

FOXNews.com - Iran VP: Iranians Are 'Friends' With Israelis - International News | News of the World | Middle East News | Europe News

With "friends" like these...

(I had to look a couple times to make sure I wasn't accidentally reading an "Onion" article...)

[winston53660]

I think Iran has a right to exist. But I do not have a clue clue as to why they are accepted at the Olympics.

[hussein]

So they are friends with Israel and at the same time refuse to recognise its right to exist...I suppose in time that will make sense.