[ConservativeInPA]

“He even distorts his own scripture,” Zarif told his interviewer, Ann Curry, addressing Netanyahu’s reference to Purim. “If you read the Book of Esther, you will see that it was the Iranian king who saved the Jews.

Cyrus did defeat Nebuchadnezzar, but the Cyrus had his own agenda with Nebuchadnezzar. It certainly didn't involve Jews. The Jews went back to Judea. The Jews didn't follow Cyrus back to Persia.

Anyways, Muslims are the problem and in this case, Muslims in Iran. Muslims have persecuted Jews from day one. Zarif needs to fast forward in his history a little bit.

[SJackson]

You’re right, Cyrus was simply OK with being rid of them, at least the ones who wanted to leave. Needless to say Zarif didn’t mean to imply there were Jews in Israel 2700 or 2800 years ago, or that Persia not only recognized Israel as the Jewish home, but encouraged them to return there. No one at the press conference was smart enough to ask.

[Sherman Logan]

The guy has a point with the Cyrus bit. Cyrus gets very good press in the Bible. He is even called the annointed of the Lord. The messiah.

Isaiah 45:1