| So Rome pre-emptively surrendered? How thoughtful of them. |
Rowhani laughed Wednesday when asked at the end of a three-day visit to Italia about the statue cover-up, which made headlines in Italia and around the world. Some Italian politicians decried the "cultural submission" implied in Italia's gesture.
The Iranian president said Iran made no specific request for the cover-up, saying there were "no contacts about this" from his side.
But he added: "I know that Italians are a very hospitable people, a people who try to do the most to put their guests at ease and I thank you for this."
Ahead of a joint news conference Monday with Premier Matteo Renzi, wooden panels were erected around some Roman-era statues in Rome's Capitoline Museums.
The Iranian president also told news hounds on Wednesday that freedom of expression doesn't extend to insulting other people's faith.