Amid the turbulence in the region, the visit of a Hamas delegation to Tehran has thawed the icy relations between the two sides due to their positions on the Syrian crisis. This is an important development in the allies’ relationship in the context of what is known as the “axis of resistance” as the two parties have been trying over the past two years to overcome the crisis.
The senior-level delegation sent by Hamas to Tehran carried many messages including the message that Hamas has initiated this visit out of the continued friendship between the two parties and that it still plays a critical role in the region as the main Palestinian resistance movement.
Hamas realises that this visit comes at a sensitive time in the region, due to the relationship between Iran and the West, the events in Iraq, and the continued Syrian crisis. It is also a critical time in the region due to the fact that all the attempts to eliminate Hamas from the scene has failed, the most recent of which was the war on Gaza in July.
The relationship between the two sides never reached a point of complete severance, hostility, following the dispute over the Syrian crisis. Therefore, there are many issues that allow the two sides to go back to how things were in the past, and even reinforce and strengthen their relations, especially since both sides believe that Iran needs to be present to reiterate its supportive position of the Palestinian cause. This also allows Iran to have a strong position in the region and helps it maintain its image while confronting the changes surrounding it.
Iran is convinced that Hamas is the spearhead in resisting the occupation, which became apparent during the most recent war. In addition to this, Hamas did not cut off ties with Iran nor did it attack or criticise it. Instead, many Hamas officials directed positive messages to Iran.
Hamas’ commitment to a resistance programme drives it to progress in its relationship with Iran in order to support the resistance project and force the allies to treat Hamas with the same respect and consideration they do with Iran. The relationship between the allies may witness many new developments and transformations due to both sides’ desire to move past the history and turn a new page in their relations.
Translated from Felesteen newspaper, 10 December, 2014
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