GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Hamas has decided to resume public relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran after years of apathy between them as a result of the Syrian crisis. Signs confirming the rapprochement came from the deputy chairmen of Hamas’ political bureau, Mousa Abu Marzouk and Ismail Haniyeh.
In a June 15 interview with Hamas-affiliated Al-Aqsa TV, Abu Marzouk praised Iran for the first time since Hamas left the Syrian capital of Damascus. He said, “The support offered by Iran to the Palestinian resistance — be it in logistics, training or funds — is unmatched and beyond the capabilities of other countries. Iran’s support and backing to the resistance and the Palestinian cause is clear, explicit and equal to the stance of Arab, Muslim and free peoples of the world who back and support the resistance.”
Relations between Hamas and Tehran began to deteriorate in 2012, after the wave of Arab Spring revolutions reached Syria, which is the main ally of Iran in the Middle East. A public row emerged when the head of Hamas’ political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, left Damascus, where he had been residing for years, after he refused to support the Syrian regime’s and Iran's position toward the Syrian revolution.
The dispute intensified further when Hamas endorsed the legitimacy of Yemeni President Abed Rabbo Mansour Hadi’s regime, following the Houthis’ takeover of state institutions and Iran’s open support of the Houthis.
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