Although, it will never happen, ‘officially’ both the US & Israel released statements that they expect the new Palestinian unity gov’t to commit to disarming the radical Islamic group, Hamas.

By i24NEWS

Top aide to Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei applauded Hamas’ refusal to lay down its arms and abandon its struggle against Israel during meetings with a visiting delegation from the Islamist movement in Tehran on Saturday.

Ali Khamenei with Hamas leader Ismail Haniya

“We congratulate you for declaring that you will not set your weapons aside and for describing it as your red line,” Khamenei’s international affairs adviser Ali Akbar Velayati was quoted as saying by the semi-official Fars news agency.

A high-ranking Hamas delegation began a visit to Iran Friday to inform its backers in Tehran about reconciliation efforts with rival Palestinian faction Fatah.

“The US and the Zionist regime feel threatened by any balance shift in the Middle East in favor of regional people and governments engaged in the fight against terrorism,” Shamkhani charged during the meeting.

“They seek to obstruct the path of anti-terrorism fight by bringing up unfounded pretexts such as blocking Iran’s regional sway.”

Both the US and Israel have said that they expect any Palestinan unity government to commit to disarming Hamas and recognizing the State of Israel.

Israel has gone further and is demanding that the Islamist movement sever ties with Tehran.

But Hamas deputy chief Salah al-Aruri, who is leading the delegation to Tehran, expressed hope that the movement would deepen its ties with the Islamic Republic.

Hamas has controlled Gaza since 2007 with Iranian backing, but is expected to hand it over to the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority.

Hamas has fought three wars with Israel since 2008.

View original i24News publication at:
http://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/158305-171022-iran-applauds-hamas-for-refusing-to-end-armed-struggle-against-israel