Iranian VP: We are friends of Israelis

Posted By Blake Hounshell Monday, August 11, 2008 - 11:34 AM Share

Somehow, I don't think this comment from Iran's Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashai is going to help anyone sleep easier in Tel Aviv:

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

As Haaretz observes, this isn't the first time Mashai has sounded a conciliatory note about Israel:

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." 

EXPLORE:IRAN, ISRAEL/PALESTINE
 

YUGURI

2:04 PM ET

August 11, 2008

The Islamic Republic of Iran

Comments like these may not make Israelis sleep much better, but maybe they could serve to remind those of us the West that Iran is not a monolith. The comments from Vice President and the despicable and more sensational and comments from the President do -not- in fact represent the foreign policy of Iran. Keen observers will pay more attention to the policy of the Ayatollah and the Guardians Council than that of it's irrelevant elected leadership. In my opinion, Iran absolutely does not want war, and the sooner everyone agrees on that, the better.
 

Passport, FP’s flagship blog, brings you news and hidden angles on the biggest stories of the day, as well as insights and under-the-radar gems from around the world.

Read More