TEHRAN (Press TV) – On Friday, Iranian cleric Ayatollah Ahmad Jannati offered congratulations on the birth of Jesus, calling him one of the oppressed prophets of the Lord.

""Jesus came to save mankind from the tyranny of renegades,"" said the cleric who took a swipe at those who claim to be followers of the holy prophet.
Addressing worshippers, Jannati pointed to President George W. Bush as an example of those who kill people in Iraq, Palestine and Afghanistan and inflame tensions in Lebanon while living under the name of a follower of Jesus.
""Why don't you leave the people of the world alone,"" said the cleric to show his indignation over crimes committed against humanity.
Ayatollah Jannati blamed the United States for tension in Lebanon, saying that Washington has stitched the Zionist regime of Israel among Arab countries like a ""cancerous tumor.""
""If Jesus the Christ was among the people..., remaining silent, siding with the criminals or standing against them?"" the cleric asked in questioning the performances of the Christian leaders.