Tehran, Iran -- Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad claims Santa Claus is "a myth" and suggested that the North Pole be moved to Europe, Canada or the United States, specifically, Alaska.
The United States, Israel and the European Commission, along with individual European countries, have condemned the remark.
Ahmadinejad first became controversial when, earlier this year, he called for the assassination of the Easter Bunny which was, of course, met with widespread international condemnation and criticism.
Last week he expressed doubt about the existence of the tooth fairy, and now he's pushing the worldwide community further by insisting that Santa Claus is a myth.
In the Iranian city of Zahedan, according to the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting, Ahmadinejad said in a speech to thousands of people last Wednesday, "They have invented a myth that a fat, bearded man brings gifts to children who have been good...The West has given more significance to the myth of Santa Claus, making him even more significant than God, religion, and the prophet."
He continued on his rampage by asserting that "they deal very severely with those who deny this myth but do nothing about those who deny God, religion, and the prophet...If Santa Claus is such a great guy, why don't you give a piece of Europe, the United States, Canada or Alaska to the North Pole?"
Photo proof Santa does indeed exist.
Mrs. Claus, speaking on behalf of the beleaguered Santa Claus said, "We will certainly have to consider crossing Mahmoud off our list this year. The elves had already started working on the collection of nuclear weapons he asked for in his letter."
In Berlin, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said his government had summoned the Iranian charge d'affaires to make "unmistakably clear" its displeasure, The Associated Press said.
The White House said the comments underlined the need for the international community to work together to "keep Iran from spoiling Christmas for the kids."
"All responsible leaders in the international community recognize how outrageous such comments are," spokesman Dana Perino said, as she prepared a glass of milk and cookies for Santa.
In Brussels, European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin said such "completely unacceptable" comments would do nothing to restore confidence in Iran.
"We feel very strongly that Iran is damaging its own interests with these kind of remarks," she added, placing a collection of carrots outside for the reindeer.
The Spanish government said it "emphatically condemns" the remarks by the Iranian president. "These statements from the highest levels of Iran, added to previous statements, do not contribute in any way to this traditionally cheerful and peaceful time of year," the Spanish Foreign Ministry said in a statement to The Associated Press.
Ahmadinejad's views contrast with those of his moderate predecessor Mohammad Khatami, who urged all Iranians to be nice rather than naughty.
Some conservative allies in Iran have criticized the current president's remarks, AP reported, because they fear he is damaging the country's image.
Moderates have urged the ruling Islamic establishment to rein in their president but supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei supports Ahmadinejad's calls for abandoning the Public Holiday on Christmas Day.
Tehran-based political analyst Mahmoud Alinejad said the president could feel his speeches strengthen Iran diplomatically as "There is a perception, based on past experience, that only when Iran threatens and pushes does the West not send a Christmas card," he told Reuters.
