The Iran Thread

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Iran's foreign minister said on Facebook that Tehran condemns the World War II Nazi massacre of the Jews, in stark contract to Holocaust denials by former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"We condemn the massacre of Jews by the Nazis, and we condemn the massacre of Palestinians by the Zionists," Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on his Facebook page, where he published the text of an interview he gave to the Tasnim news agency.

Zarif was also asked whether he wished Jews "Happy Rosh Hashanah" (new year), and had had an exchange about the Holocaust on Twitter.

"I replied to a question from a person who appeared to be the daughter of the ex-speaker of the US House of Representatives," Nancy Pelosi, he wrote.

On his recently activated Twitter account, Zarif wrote in English "Happy Rosh Hashanah," and Christine Pelosi replied, thanking him.

"Thanks. The new year would be even sweeter if you would end Iran's Holocaust denial, sir," she wrote.

Zarif replied: "Iran never denied it (the Holocaust). The man who was perceived to be denying it is now gone. Happy New Year."

Tehran does not recognise Israel and Ahmadinejad's eight years in office were filled with anti-Israeli diatribes and denial of the Holocaust.

The controversial Ahmadinejad was succeeded as president by Hassan Rowhani, who won a surprise election victory over five conservatives on June 14.

The former president's anti-Israel diatribes and Iran's controversial nuclear programme both contributed to its increased international isolation.

Rowhani's website on Thursday said he has tasked the foreign ministry with handling sensitive nuclear talks, in a possible signal of a less confrontational approach with world powers.

It was not immediately clear, but his announcement would seem to indicate that Zarif, a moderate who has lived in the West and negotiated with it, would take on the role personally.

"Every year we wish happy new year to our Christian compatriots," Zarif told Tasnim.

"We also have a Jewish minority that is represented in parliament by one deputy," he said.

"We have nothing against Jews and Judaism, but we do not allow Zionists to present Iran as being anti-Semitic and bellicose in their propaganda so they can continue to repress the Palestinian people... and have their crimes forgotten," he added.


Source : Sapa-AFP /pk
Date : 06 Sep 2013 08:53
 
Last edited:
Garyvdh said:
Iran's foreign minister said on Facebook that Tehran condemns the World War II Nazi massacre of the Jews, in stark contract to Holocaust denials by former president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad.

"We condemn the massacre of Jews by the Nazis, and we condemn the massacre of Palestinians by the Zionists," Mohammad Javad Zarif wrote on his Facebook page, where he published the text of an interview he gave to the Tasnim news agency.

Zarif was also asked whether he wished Jews "Happy Rosh Hashanah" (new year), and had had an exchange about the Holocaust on Twitter.

"I replied to a question from a person who appeared to be the daughter of the ex-speaker of the US House of Representatives," Nancy Pelosi, he wrote.

On his recently activated Twitter account, Zarif wrote in English "Happy Rosh Hashanah," and Christine Pelosi replied, thanking him.

"Thanks. The new year would be even sweeter if you would end Iran's Holocaust denial, sir," she wrote.

Zarif replied: "Iran never denied it (the Holocaust). The man who was perceived to be denying it is now gone. Happy New Year."
Click to expand...

jaw-drop-o.gif
 
Iran's New Tone 'Encouraging' : Germany

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwelle on Tuesday welcomed a "new tone" from Tehran ahead of a meeting with Iranian President Hassan Rowhani but demanded "substantial action" on its controversial nuclear program.

"This is a good day for those who bet on a political and diplomatic solution," Westerwelle said, calling Rowhani's speech to the UN General Assembly "encouraging."

He was later set to meet Iran's new leader, who has made diplomatic overtures in his country's nuclear standoff with the West.

Westerwelle emphasized the "stark contrast" between the wording of Rowhani's speech and the fiery broadsides of his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad against Israel and the United States that prompted Western diplomats to walk out.

"The Iranians could be serious with a new constructive approach," he said but cautioned that Tehran must take concrete steps to prove its willingness to engage.

"It is critical that new substantial offers are made," Westerwelle added.

Germany's top diplomat also praised US President Barack Obama's speech to the General Assembly, who pushed for a "diplomatic path" with the new Iranian government.

Obama has sent a "strong signal" and offered a "window of opportunity" to end hostilities between Iran and the West, he said.

Westerwelle will participate in high-level talks on Iran's suspect nuclear program on Thursday, joining counterparts from the United States, Britain, China, France, Russia and Iran.

On Syria, Westerwelle urged world leaders to make renewed efforts for a political process during their annual gathering in New York.

"There cannot be a military solution in Syria. Only a political solution can bring sustainable peace and stability," he said.

Westerwelle is scheduled to address the UN General Assembly on Saturday in what will likely be his last major appearance as foreign minister.

After four years at the helm of Germany's diplomatic corps, Westerwelle is set to leave office following his party's crushing defeat in Sunday's parliamentary elections.


Source : Sapa-AFP /mr
Date : 25 Sep 2013 03:42
 
Iran's Rowhani: 'Holocaust was Reprehensible'

Iranian President Hassan Rowhani called the Holocaust "reprehensible and condemnable" in an interview late Tuesday.

"I have said before that I am not a historian, and that when it comes to speaking of the dimensions of the Holocaust it is the historians that should reflect on it," Rowhani, who took office some two months ago, told CNN.

"But, in general, I can tell you that any crime that happens in history against humanity, including the crime the Nazis committed towards the Jews, as well as non-Jewish people, was reprehensible and condemnable as far as we are concerned."

Rowhani has moved away from the confrontational style of his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, who questioned the scale of the genocide during World War II and said Israel should be wiped off the map.


Source : Sapa-dpa /pk
Date : 25 Sep 2013 09:23
 
Israeli PM Accuses Iran's President of Hypocrisy

Israel's prime minister is accusing the new Iranian president, Hasan Rouhani, of "hypocrisy" after delivering a landmark speech at the United Nations.

In his address, Rouhani said his nation is ready for negotiations over its suspect nuclear program and called for peace and moderation.

In a statement, Netanyahu accused Iranian forces of participating in the slaughter of civilians in Syria and carrying out terrorist attacks around the world. He also said Rouhani offered no plans to halt his nuclear program.

Israel believes Iran is developing nuclear weapons. "This is precisely the Iranian intention, to talk and buy time in order to advance its ability to achieve nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said.


Source : Sapa-AP /mr
Date : 25 Sep 2013 00:26
 
Iran poses absolutely 'no threat' : Rowhani

Iran's President Hassan Rowhani called Tuesday on US counterpart Barack Obama to ignore "warmongering pressure groups" and seek better relations.

Speaking at the UN General Assembly, Rowhani said Iran poses "absolutely no threat to the world," in remarks widely watched for signs of a thaw with the United States.

Rowhani condemned international sanctions against Iran and also hit out at America's use of drones.

But he said if Obama rejects "the short-sighted interest of warmongering pressure groups, we can arrive at a framework to manage our differences."

Rowhani spoke a few hours after Obama told the assembly that he wanted a "meaningful agreement" with Iran if it acted to end international concerns over its nuclear program.

The Iranian leader reaffirmed his country's position that its nuclear drive is "exclusively peaceful."

"Nuclear weapons and other weapons of mass destruction have no place in Iran's security and defense doctrine, and contradict our fundamental religious and ethical convictions," Rowhani said.

He added that the international community had to accept Iran's nuclear activity, which Western nations say hides an attempt to reach a nuclear bomb capacity.

The UN Security Council has imposed four rounds of sanctions against Iran over its uranium enrichment.

But Rowhani said it is "an illusion, and extremely unrealistic, to presume that the peaceful nature of the nuclear program of Iran could be ensured through impeding the program via illegitimate pressures."


Source : Sapa-AFP /mr
Date : 25 Sep 2013 00:07
 
Garyvdh said:
Israel believes Iran is developing nuclear weapons. "This is precisely the Iranian intention, to talk and buy time in order to advance its ability to achieve nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said.
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We take it back. The Holocaust never happened.
 
"Isreal not being 'happy'" is the incorrect interpretation of the Israeli response. Distrustful and suspicious is more like it.
 
Iran to open top level talks with US: Foreign Minister

Iran is ready to engage in high-level talks with long-time foe the United States, Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif said in comments published Thursday by official news agency IRNA.

"A meeting is not an end in itself, nor is it ruled out... President (Hassan) Rouhani has no problem in principle" with meeting US President Barack Obama, he said.

"It would have been a good beginning," Zarif added of speculation that such a meeting was to take place this week in New York, but in the end never did.

"President Rouhani has always said he is prepared to do whatever is in the national interest," the minister added.

Washington and Tehran have had no diplomatic relations since 1980, a year after the Islamic revolution in Iran toppled the US-backed shah.

Zarif said of the mooted Rouhani-Obama encounter that "the American government expressed its wish, on the eve of the UN General Assembly, for such a meeting" but "there was not enough time to arrange it".

"The meeting was not that important... we are not there for show but to defend the national interests of our nation," he added.

Obama "made more moderate comments than in the past", Zarif said.

"If that is the basis of a new political will to solve misunderstandings and ease Iranian concerns, this would be more important than a meeting.

"We will see during the ministerial meeting with the 5+1 (the five permanent UN Security Council members plus Germany) what the US secretary of state's approach will be.

The United States and Iran will later Thursday have one of their highest-level meetings since the 1979 revolution as Zarif and John Kerry join talks on the Iranian nuclear issue.

"We will see if he has the will to search for a solution to the Iranian nuclear question that is in the interests of the world, peace and security and also respect for the rights of the Iranian nation."

And while officials are saying that no bilateral talks are planned, there remains the chance for a quick tete-a-tete in the corridor.

Zarif wrote on his Twitter account from New York on Wednesday: "We have a historic opportunity to resolve the nuclear issue" if world powers adjust to the "new Iranian approach".


Source : Sapa-AFP /pk
Date : 26 Sep 2013 09:00
 
Iran seeks phased action in nuclear talks

Iran's foreign minister is urging step-by-step compromises between his country and world powers to advance negotiations over Tehran's nuclear ambitions.

Mohammad Javad Zarif's remarks on Iran's state TV referred to "phased actions" after reviving stalled talks with a six-nation group - the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council plus Germany.

U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry and other envoys are scheduled to meet with Zarif on Thursday in New York to discuss restarting the talks.

Zarif did not elaborate in his comments late Wednesday, but it is seen a reference to gradual removal of sanctions by the West in return for a gradual decrease in Iran's nuclear activities, possibly uranium enrichment.

The West fear Iran could eventually produce a nuclear weapon - a charge Iran denies.


Source : Sapa-AP /pk
Date : 26 Sep 2013 10:24
 
Iran President Rouhani says Israel must join non-nuclear treaty

Iran's President Hassan Rouhani on Thursday called on Israel to join the Non-Proliferation Treaty and put its widely suspected nuclear arms under international control.

"No nation should possess nuclear weapons," Rouhani, whose country is accused by western nations of seeking an atomic bomb, told a UN General Assembly meeting on nuclear disarmament.


Source : Sapa-AFP /mjs
Date : 26 Sep 2013 15:42
 
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