TEHRAN – The new strategic, farsighted, and resolute political Leader of Hamas, as described by his close associates and the Palestinian people, is believed to have close and strong ties with Iran. 

The first time Yahya Sinwar stepped foot in Iran was in 2012, a year after he was released from Israeli jail in a prison swap after over 2 decades of imprisonment. The late Ismail Haniyeh, whom Sinwar will be succeeding, can be seen introducing Sinwar to the Leader of the Islamic Revolution in a video captured during the meeting of a group of Palestinians with the Leader. 

"Brother Yahya Sinwar spent 25 years of his life in Israeli prison. He had been sentenced to 430 years in jail,” Haniyeh said while pointing to the alleged architect of Hamas’ October 7 Operation sitting on a chair next to the wall. Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei smiles at Sinwar with endearing eyes, before telling the group of Palestinians that they would undoubtedly “emerge victorious” in their fight against the Zionist regime thanks to their strong beliefs and high spirits. 

The short footage available of the 2012 meeting shows Sinwar with a calm and collected demeanor. He can be seen listening intently to the conversation between Haniyeh and Ayatollah Khamenei, and nodding slightly when the late Hamas chief introduces him to Iran’s Leader. 

While it's unclear if Sinwar returned to Iran after 2012, his own speeches confirm that he also met with other Iranian officials during that visit, including the late Lieutenant General Qassem Soleimani, known for his anti-terror endeavors and the unification of freedom fighters across West Asia under the Axis of Resistance. Sinwar has also talked to the revered commander at least once, according to his own words. 

After the U.S. assassinated General Soleimani in a Baghdad drone strike in 2020, Sinwar remembered the late commander during one of his addresses to the people of Gaza. The Palestinian fighter informed his people that General Soleimani had contacted him during one of Israel’s many fights against the enclave, and promised to stay by the Palestinians’ side. “Qassem Soleimani contacted us and said: ‘Iran, Islamic Revolution Guard Corps (IRGC), and the Quds Force are fully committed to preserving al-Quds as the capital of Palestine alongside you.’ This man made no demands and set no conditions [in exchange for help toward Gazans]. That’s because he truly loved al-Quds.”

The appointment of Sinwar as the new political leader of Hamas has received praise from Iranian authorities, who believe the selection will accelerate the pursuit of freedom for Palestinians. 

Analysts believe that with the close state of ties between Sinwar and Iran, the Axis of Resistance and Palestinians will likely manage to take bigger strides against Israeli occupation in the future under the aegis of Tehran.