TEHRAN – Vice President Esfandiar Rahim Mashaii has called Israel “the most accursed name” after he came under fire for expressing friendship with the Zionist regime.

Mashaii was summoned to the Majlis National Security and Foreign Policy Committee on Monday to explain his position on Israel.
“Israel is the most accursed name and I say death to Israel a thousand times,” Mashaii told the lawmakers.
He had earlier said, “Iran is friends with the Israeli people” in stark contrast to Iran’s stance on the Zionist regime.
Mp Kazem Jalali said Mashaii has asserted that he is committed to the Islamic system’s policies.
“The lawmakers told Mashaii that calling Israel a nation is unforgivable and 220 MPs as well as senior clerics have condemned his remarks,” Jalali told the Mehr News Agency.
“Masahii said Iran’s stance on the regime occupying Quds is clear and I am committed to the system’s policies,” Jalali added.
“Mashaii said I never used the word the Israeli nation. I said the people of Israel but many lawmakers protested that we do not recognize such people,” he stated.
Jalali said, “Mashaii has asserted that his approach is the approach of the government. He said raising the issue of Holocaust was a real blow to the Zionist regime.”
“Mashaii said we should continue our fight against the Zionist regime. The regime occupying Quds is in its worst situation and has lost its raison d'etre.