Iran's foreign minister condemns Holocaust
Amid denials that Iran's president tweeted happy Rosh Hashana to Iranian Jews, Islamic Republic's FM confirms his tweet, condemns Holocaust while taking jab at Israel, comparing 'massacre of Jews by Nazis' to 'massacre of Palestinians by Zionists'
Iran's foreign minister said on Facebook that Tehran condemns the World War II Nazi massacre of the Jews, in stark contrast 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.
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Zarif was also asked whether he wished Jews "Happy Rosh Hashanah", and 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: "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."
But Zarif's tweet came after officials in Iran's presidency denied that President Hasan Rouhani had a Twitter account following a tweet that appeared to be the leader offering his own Rosh Hashana message.
Tehran does not recognize Israel and Ahmadinejad's eight years in office were filled with anti-Israeli diatribes and denial of the Holocaust.
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