FM meets Hamas leader in Qatar’s Doha to discuss Gaza war

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has met with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in second such encounter since a conflict erupted between the Palestinian resistance group and the Israeli regime on October 7.

Amir-Abdollahian and Haniyeh met on Tuesday in the Qatari capital of Doha where the top Iranian diplomat was briefed about the latest situation of people in Gaza amid ongoing Israel aggression on the small blockaded territory.

“The region is at a critical juncture and the resistance groups in the region make decisions independently and they do not necessarily wait for political decisions,” Amir-Abdollahian said.  

“Therefore, if the war crimes of the Zionist regime continue and the scope of conflict and war widens, no party will remain unaffected by the consequences and repercussions,” he added.

For his part, Haniyeh said the Palestinian resistance is at the peak of its strength and capabilities.

Therefore, instead of engaging with the resistance forces, the occupying regime continues to target Palestinian civilians, he said.

He added that the amount of explosives used against the residents and residential areas of Gaza exceeds the volume of the atomic bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima, expressing regret that the Israeli attacks are carried out with full support from the United States and some European countries.

Amir-Abdollahian arrived in Qatar earlier on Tuesday to coordinate and discuss efforts needed for an immediate stop in the fighting in Gaza.

Tehran has announced it is ready to use its relations with Hamas to work out a ceasefire deal between the group and the Israelis, although Iran does not have any relations with the regime.

The Iranian foreign minister held meetings with senior Qatari officials on Tuesday before departing for Turkey to continue his diplomatic efforts to help find a solution to the crisis in Palestine.

SS