Iran Backtracks on Future Recognition of Israel

by Eli Leon and News Agency

After Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expresses possibility of recognizing Israel after an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal, Fars News Agency denies statements, claims his words were distorted • Fars notes Zarif's dedication to Hezbollah.

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif in Munich on Saturday | Photo credit: AFP

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif expressed the possibility of recognizing Israel after an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal in an interview with German television station Phoenix on Monday, only to have the surprising statement denied hours later in a report by Iran's semi-official Fars News Agency. 

According to reports following the interview with Phoenix, Zarif said Iran would examine the issue of recognition of Israel after a diplomatic arrangement was reached with the Palestinians. 

In the interview, conducted in English and simultaneously translated to German, Zarif also mentioned the Holocaust, calling it a "horrifying tragedy" that should never be repeated. 

Hours later, Iranian reports claimed Zarif's words were distorted when translated to German. 

"In a phone conversation that I had with Mr. Zarif he completely rejected the remarks attributed to him and declared that the Islamic republic's stance about the [Zionist] regime is what has been repeatedly announced by the country's diplomacy apparatus and this stance has not changed," Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hassan Qashqavi is quoted as saying by Fars. 

The Fars report further stated that senior Iranian parliamentarian Mohammad Hassan Asafari "underlined that Tehran is resolved to continue backing anti-Zionist movements in the region," noting Lebanon's Hezbollah in particular. 

Asafari also mentioned a recent meeting between Zarif and Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah, in which the foreign minister promised ongoing assistance to the Lebanese terror organization. 

According to the article, Zarif visited the tomb of Hezbollah's assassinated military commander Imad Mughniyeh last month. 

To stress Iran's anti-Israel stance, Fars quoted Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei as saying, "The Zionist regime is a real cancerous tumor that should be cut and will be cut, God willing."

Eli Leon and News Agency

Source: http://www.israelhayom.com/site/newsletter_article.php?id=15241

Copyright - Original materials copyright (c) by the authors.