Ali Khamenei Meets with Hamas Leaders in Tehran

The leader of the Islamic Republic of Iran has met with several leaders of the extremist group Hamas in Tehran, coinciding with the ongoing ceasefire in Gaza and the exchange of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisoners. According to Iranian media reports, Ali Khamenei met on Saturday, February 20, with Khalil al-Hayya, head of Hamas's political bureau, Mohammad Ismail Darwish, head of the leadership council, and Zahir Jabari, head of the group in the West Bank. Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union, along with Hezbollah and other groups in the region, is supported by the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Iranian officials refer to these groups as the 'Axis of Resistance.' Iranian media reports that Khamenei stated that Hamas has succeeded in overcoming Israel and, in fact, America, preventing them from achieving 'any of their goals.' He also emphasized the importance of 'planning for cultural activities' alongside 'military affairs and the reconstruction of Gaza,' asserting that this approach should continue. The leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah have been killed by Israel since October 7. Following the surprise attack by Hamas on southern Israel in mid-October 1402, Israel's retaliatory operations in Gaza began, and with the escalation of hostilities, Hezbollah, another Iranian ally, which, like Hamas, is recognized as a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the EU, also launched attacks on northern Israel. During these attacks, Israel killed many leaders of both Iranian allied groups, including Hassan Nasrallah, the former Secretary-General of Hezbollah, and Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, leaders of Hamas's political bureau and military wing. The Islamic Republic of Iran has supported Hamas in its war with Israel, viewing this militant group as a key part of its broader strategy to counter Israeli and Western influence in the Middle East. In a meeting with Ismail Haniyeh in Farvardin of this year, Khamenei stated that the Islamic Republic would have 'no doubt' regarding its support for the Palestinian cause and the resilient people of Gaza. However, three days after Hamas's sudden attack on Israeli territory on October 15, 1402, Khamenei denied Tehran's involvement in this attack during a speech to armed forces, stating that the attack was 'the work of the Palestinians' and that 'we kiss the forehead and arm of the planners' of this attack and take pride in them. Iranian media has reported that the occasion for the visit of Hamas leaders to Iran was the anniversary of the 57 Revolution, and they also expressed gratitude for the continuous support of the Islamic Republic of Iran.