Iran vows to care for Hamas after Israel-Syria peace deal

Ynetnews - Israel

Tehran officials tell Hamas politburo chief his organization must not negotiate with Israel, reconcile with Abbas, or worry about shortage in weapons, funds following talks between Jerusalem, Damascus
Roee Nahmias

Iran has promised to continue supporting the Hamas movement even if Syria signs a peace agreement with Israel, the London-based Arabic-language newspaper al-Sharq al-Awsat reported Sunday.

According to the report, based on an Iranian source involved in the talks held over the weekend by Hamas politburo chief Khaled Mashaal in Tehran, Iran promised to send the Palestinian organization weapons, funds and "moral aid" in case of a peace agreement between Damascus and Jerusalem.

During his visit to the Iranian capital, Mashaal met with senior diplomatic and defense officials, including the Revolutionary Guards commander and top members of the Iranian military industry. His hosts told him the Islamic republic was developing advanced missiles, some of which would be delivered to Hamas.

The Iranian aid to Hamas, which has been blessed by the ayatollahs, will stand at $150 million for the second half of 2008. The movement leaders received a promise that Tehran will provide all their needs – weapons, training and funds – under the condition that the organization rejects all attempts to hold a direct or indirect dialogue with Israel.

Mashaal was also urged to avoid a reconciliation with the Palestinian Authority, which according to the high echelons in Tehran, is on the brink of "a complete bankruptcy."

An Iranian source added that Iran's supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, believes that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' fate is similar to that of Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and that "they are both at the end of the road."

Mashaal, the newspaper said, expressed his fear over the resumption of negotiations between Israel and Syria and the ramifications of a possible peace agreement between the two countries, particularly in terms of the transfer of weapons from Tehran to the region.

According to reports from Iran, Mashaal's fears are not isolated: Khamenei was also discontent, and according to reports has appointed his foreign minister and diplomatic advisors to find out where the wind blows and what exactly is taking place behind the scenes.