Iran’s FM Meets With Hamas Leader In Qatar

The Foreign Minister of Iran has held a meeting with Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political office of Hamas Islamist militia group, in the Qatari capital Doha.

The meeting followed separate talks that Hossein Amir-Abdollahian had with the Emir and the Prime Minister of Qatar on Tuesday. It was the second official meeting between Iran and Hamas since the group, designated as a terrorist group by the US and several other countries, declared war against Israel.

Hamas launched the assault on October 7 with a barrage of at least 3,000 rockets launched at Israel and vehicle-transported incursions into its territory. Palestinian militants breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, targeting both military and civilian populations in neighboring Israeli communities. This included attacks on military bases, nearby towns, and even a music festival near Re'im. Over 350 Israeli soldiers and police officers, as well as more than 1,000 Israeli civilians, lost their lives during the wave of violence, with around 200 civilians and soldiers being taken as hostages to the Gaza Strip, among them, approximately 30 children. Israel has been pounding Gaza in retaliatory fire that has killed thousands of Palestinians.

Iran has expressed its full support for Hamas throughout the conflict and has issued warnings to the United States. Iran's leadership has stated that if the Israeli offensive against Hamas does not cease, it could escalate, potentially impacting American interests in the region.

Amir-Abdollahian, in a speech at the United Nations on Thursday, said that US forces in the Middle East would not be immune to the repercussions if the Israeli offensive against Hamas continues.