A Hamas delegation went to Tehran this week and met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei July 22. Ever since the deputy head of Hamas’ diplomatic wing, Saleh Al-Arouri, was elected to the position two years ago, his goal has been to tighten contacts with Tehran in light of the disconnection that has prevailed since the days of former Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal, who is persona non grata in Iran.
Al-Arouri has visited Tehran before, but this time he was greeted as an honored ally when he met with Iran’s spiritual leader. Khamenei promised Al-Arouri continued military and economic aid because “victory over the enemy will only be achieved through struggle and resistance” and added, “Only a few years ago the Palestinians fought the Zionist enemy with stones, and today they are equipped with precise missiles.” Tehran gave the missiles to Hamas in part due to Al-Arouri’s reconciliation efforts.
