TEHRAN - The Cultural Heritage, Tourism and Handicrafts Organization (CHTHO) director Esfandiar Rahim Mashaii will attend parliament on Wednesday to explain reasons for claiming 'friendship' with the 'Israeli people'.
"Today, the members of the cultural committee reviewed Mashaii's recent remarks especially on Iran's friendship with Israeli people. So, we decided to invite head of the cultural heritage organization to explain the reasons for such remarks," Jalal Yahya Zadeh of the Majlis cultural committee told the Mehr News Agency on Tuesday.
Mashaii had earlier said, "Iran is friends with the Israeli people" in stark contrast to Iran's stance on the Zionist regime.
He has also described the people of the United States as "one of the best nations in the world".
"Today, Iran is friends with the American and Israeli people. No nation in the world is our enemy, this is an honor," Mashaii had stated.
Yahya Zadeh pointed out the committee will announce its position on the issue after having heard Mashaii's justifications.
© Tehran Times 2008
