RAMALLAH, West Bank — Iran's nuclear deal with six world powers paved the way for the Palestinian Authority to develop its relationship with Iran, in light of political changes besetting the Middle East and regional alliances being orchestrated again with continued fighting in more than one country.

An anonymous Palestinian political source told Al-Monitor that the July 14 nuclear deal encouraged the PA to improve its relations with Iran, as part of Iran's moves in the international arena and because of the standstill in the peace process. The source explained that not only will a better relationship with Iran be a point of strength for the PA, it will also displease Israel, which sees Iran as an enemy and does not seek improved relations with it following the nuclear deal.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas "aspires to establish solid and strong relations with Iran," the source said. "These relations were promoted following the nuclear deal, as the world opened up to Iran. The deal was an important factor toward improving our relationship with Iran, which we seek to develop to the best interest of the Palestinian cause.”

Ahmad al-Majdalani, a Palestine Liberation Organization Executive Committee member Abbas assigned to take over the Iranian-Palestinian relations issue, visited Iran for four days starting Aug. 9 and held a series of meetings with Iranian officials. He told Al-Monitor, “There have been intensive contacts for months with the Iranian government to manage the political dialogue and promote bilateral relations between the two countries. Although the visit came late, it remains important to us.”