Iranian politician claims women don't belong in parliament – along with children and donkeys

'If you send women to parliament members, they will face catastrophes and your honor will be violated'

Women won 14 of the 290 seats in the Iranian Parliament (BEHROUZ MEHRI/AFP/Getty Images)

A conservative Iranian lawmaker was caught on camera saying children, donkeys and women don't belong in parliament.

Parliament is a place where "only men belong," according to Nader Qazipour.

Mr Qazipour was filmed speaking at a rally after winning reelection as a member of parliament for the city of Urmia.

According to a translation from Memri TV, which translates articles from Middle Eastern countries into English, Mr Qazipour says in his native Turkish: "It was not easy for us to build this country, so we will not give it away easily to any little boy or fox.

"The Iranian parliament is no place for children or donkeys. The Iranian parliament is no place for women. It is a place where only men belong.

"If you send women to parliament members, they will face catastrophes and your honor will be violated."

Mr Qazipour's comments led to calls for him to be penalised, the Los Angeles Times reports.

Women won 14 of the 290 seats in the Iranian parliament, according to Al Jazeera. Additionally, seven are headed for a runoff in April, potentially bringing the total to 21 - which could be the largest female delegation in the history of Iran's parliament.

Mr Qazipour has since released an apology, saying: “I was carried away by the jubilation of the election among my supporters, and said something in error.

“I express my regret, and do hope the misunderstanding will be alleviated.”