Interior minister holds talks with Hamas, PIJ officials

February 20, 2024 - 22:45

TEHRAN - Iranian Interior Minister Ahmad Vahidi hosted a meeting with leaders of Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) on late Monday.

Vahidi praised the Oct. 7 Al-Aqsa Storm Operation and its impact on the anti-Israel movement in the world.

Osama Hamdan, Hamas' representative in Lebanon, and Ali Abu Shahin, who represents PIJ's politburo in Iran, outlined the Al-Aqsa operation's rationale, objectives, and achievements within the political and military landscape. Hamdan expressed gratitude for the unwavering support provided by the Leader of the Islamic Revolution, the government, and the people to the Palestinian people in Gaza.

Abu Shahin emphasized the crucial role played by other resistance groups, including PIJ, in the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation. He echoed Ayatollah Khamenei's call for enhanced convergence, cooperation, and unity among resistance groups. 

Highlighting the sacrifices made by both Hamas and PIJ fighters, he noted that their shared blood cemented a stronger political and military alliance.

Minister Vahidi expressed deep appreciation for the resilience and resistance shown by the Palestinian people. 

He stated that at a time when some Islamic states sought to normalize relations with Israel, the Al-Aqsa Storm Operation served as a beacon of resistance, reviving the Palestinian cause on the global stage. 

The minister further declared that the operation shattered attempts at surrender and humiliation, exemplified by the relocation of certain embassies from Tel Aviv to al-Quds.

In mid-February, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian and Hamas’ political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh discussed the latest developments surrounding the Israeli war in Gaza.

In the meeting, they exchanged views over a wide range of topics including the latest situation of the Gaza war in the political and operational fields, the need to stop the Zionist regime’s aggression and crimes against the people of Gaza and the West Bank, and the immediate sending of humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza.

On the third leg of a regional tour that was centered on ways to settle the crises and issues in Gaza.

Like the talks in Beirut and Damascus, the main topics of the Iranian foreign minister’s meetings with Qatari authorities focused on the developments in Palestine and ways to end the brutal Israeli onslaught against Gaza.

Iran’s top diplomat held talks with senior Qatari officials about a range of issues, including cooperation between Tehran and Doha.

During his sojourn to Lebanon, he held talks with certain resistance leaders, calling for an end to the onslaught on the Gaza Strip.
  
During a meeting with about 15 officials from different Palestinian groups in the Syrian capital Damascus on Feb. 11, Iran’s foreign minister noted that the Tel Aviv regime would fall if the U.S. officials put a moratorium on all kinds of support.