In a significant diplomatic development, Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, held a meeting with the leader of Hamas, Ismail Haniyeh, in Tehran, as reported by state media. Haniyeh, who has resided in both Qatar and Turkey since 2019, briefed Ayatollah Khamenei on the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and the actions of the Israeli government in Gaza, along with the evolving situation in the West Bank.
Iran’s state TV reported that Ayatollah Khamenei praised the resilience of the Gaza population and expressed strong regret over the actions of the Israeli regime, which receives direct support from Washington and certain Western nations. The meeting underscores Tehran’s consistent policy of backing Palestinian resistance forces against the Israeli occupiers.
The exact date of this high-level meeting was not elaborated upon in the reports. Nevertheless, it highlights Iran’s ongoing commitment to supporting the Palestinian cause and their struggle for self-determination.
**Iranian Defence Minister Warns of Consequences if Ceasefire Not Implemented**
In a related development, Iran’s Defence Minister, Mohammad-Reza Ashtiani, issued a stern warning, stating that the United States would face severe consequences if it failed to implement a ceasefire in Gaza. As reported by the Tasnim news agency, Ashtiani urged the United States to immediately halt the conflict in Gaza and initiate a ceasefire, emphasizing that failure to do so would result in a substantial response.
**Turkish Diplomatic Efforts for Ceasefire**
Simultaneously, Turkey’s Foreign Minister, Hakan Fidan, engaged in discussions with his Egyptian and Jordanian counterparts, addressing the dire situation in Gaza and the urgent need for a ceasefire. According to Turkish diplomatic sources, Fidan exchanged views with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry on measures to halt attacks targeting Gaza’s civilian population and expedite a ceasefire.
Fidan and Shoukry also explored avenues to ensure the uninterrupted and continuous provision of humanitarian aid to Gaza. President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, on the other hand, strongly condemned the “immoral, unscrupulous, despicable massacre” in Gaza and announced his visit to the northeastern Turkish village of Ayder on Monday.
Erdogan reiterated that Turkey was actively involved behind the scenes, working to halt the bloodshed and ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza, underscoring the nation’s commitment to addressing the ongoing crisis.
By Agencies
