Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh is visiting Tehran on Tuesday, said Iran’s official news agency IRNA. This is only his second visit to Tehran since Hamas’s attacks on Israel on Oct 7. Local reports say he is scheduled to meet with Iran’s Foreign Minister, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
Haniyeh’s visit comes after the recent UN Security Council resolution that demanded an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the immediate flow of aid into Gaza. The vote, which was taken by 10 non-permanent members and five permanent members, was passed by 14 votes to none with the US abstaining.
Iran which provides material support for Hamas had through its foreign ministry spokesperson, Nasser Kanami, described the resolution as a “positive but insignificant step.”
The meeting comes after Hamas rejected a recent ceasefire deal, stating that it would stick to its original demands of a “comprehensive ceasefire, an (Israeli) withdrawal from the Strip, the return of displaced people, and a real prisoner exchange.”
Israel has withdrawn its negotiating team from Qatar where the talks are being held. It has alleged the UN resolution had only emboldened Hamas to demand more concessions. Israeli foreign minister Israel Katz stated in an interview to Army Radio “the message delivered to Hamas yesterday … is that you don’t have to hurry.”
Prime Minister Netanyahu said in a statement from his office that Washington’s failure to block the proposal was a “clear retreat” from its previous position. It would hurt war efforts against Hamas, as well as efforts to release over 130 Israeli hostages held captive in Gaza.
He has also called off a high-level delegation visit to Washington.
The delegation was to discuss a planned Israeli military operation in the southern Gaza city of Rafah, where more than a million Palestinians are taking shelter.
The West is now urging Iran to use its influence with Hamas to bring an end to the war. The Iranian foreign minister spoke with EU foreign policy head Josep Borrell on phone, on Monday.
Tweeting after the phone conversation, Borrell wrote on Monday. “Spoke to @Amirabdolahian about bilateral issues, incl. need to release detained citizens & avoid nuclear escalation. Discussed also Gaza. Critical that Iran uses regional influence to deescalate. Reiterated @EUCouncil’s concerns about possible transfer of IRI missiles to Russia.”
