Iran’s Khamenei meets top Hamas leaders in Tehran

TEHRAN,— Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, met with acting Hamas leader Khalil al-Hayya and two senior members of the Gaza’s Islamist militant group in Tehran on Saturday, according to Khamenei’s official website.

“You defeated the Zionist regime [Israel], which was, in fact, America’s defeat,” Khamenei told the delegation, as reported by Iranian media. He claimed that Hamas had successfully prevented Israel from achieving its objectives in the ongoing conflict.

The Hamas delegation, which included Mohammad Darwish, head of the group’s leadership council, and senior official Nizar Awadallah, traveled to Tehran to commemorate the anniversary of the 1979 Iranian Revolution.

According to statement, the officials expressed gratitude for Iran’s continued support.

During the meeting, the delegation briefed Khamenei on the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, highlighting what they described as “victories and successes” in their fight against Israel.

“We have come to meet with you today with pride,” al-Hayya said, according to Khamenei’s press office.

Khamenei honored the memory of Gaza’s fallen commanders and martyrs, including Ismail Haniyeh. He told the Hamas leaders, “God Almighty granted you and the people of Gaza honor and victory, making Gaza a true embodiment of the Quranic verse: ‘How often has a small group overcome a mighty host by Allah’s permission.'”

Dismissing U.S. threats against Iran, Khamenei said they had “no effect on the mindset of our nation,” according to Iranian media.

In July 2024, Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh was killed by Israel using a planted bomb. His successor, Yahya Sinwar, was killed by the Israeli army in Gaza in October 2024.

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel using tactics similar to those of the Islamic State, killing approximately 1,200 people—most of them civilians and children—and taking more than 250 hostages, according to Israeli officials.

In response, Israel carried out a military operation in Gaza, which local authorities report has resulted in the deaths of over 15,000 Hamas fighters and widespread destruction in the territory.