How to read Hamas’ visit to Iran
Hamas leaders seem pleased with the outcomes of a senior delegation's historic visit to Iran, though details are still scanty.
A high-level Hamas delegation led by Saleh al-Arouri, the deputy head of its political bureau, recently paid an official visit to Iran. The delegation included Moussa Abu Marzouk, Maher Salah, Izzat al-Rashq, Zaher Jabarin, Husam Badran, former Hamas representative in Lebanon Osama Hamdan, former Hamas Minister of Endowments Ismail Radwan and Hamas’ representative in Tehran, Khaled al-Kaddoumi.
During a press conference in Gaza July 20, head of Hamas’ political bureau Ismail Haniyeh expressed hope the visit would produce significant outcomes, though he did not clarify its goals.
The schedule of the visit, which lasted July 21-25, was packed with meetings and one of the most significant in years.
The meetings addressed Iran’s continuing financial and military support for Hamas, which is suffering from a financial crisis, while Iran faces US and Israeli threats. Iran and Hamas likely discussed strengthening their alliance and ensuring that their coordination bore results both political and militarily.
