Tuesday, February 03, 2009

Reuters, Tehran, Feb 1, 2009 (excerpts) – Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told the Palestinian group Hamas to be prepared for possible fresh Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip, the semi-official Fars news agency reported on Sunday.
A delegation from Hamas, headed by its leader Khaled Meshaal, arrived in Tehran on Sunday as part of a regional push to reinforce support for the Palestinian group after the Israeli invasion of Gaza.
Hamas was in close contact with Iran, its main backer along with Syria, during the 22-day Israeli offensive against Gaza, which was halted last month, with the two sides declaring separate ceasefires.
Khamenei said the war in Gaza had yet to be finished, praising “the resistance of Gazans”.
“The Islamic resistance (Hamas) should be prepared for any possible situation, including a fresh war in Gaza,” Khamenei told Meshaal, Fars reported.
“The enemy’s (Israel) psychological war … still goes on.”
Israeli and U.S. officials have accused Iran of providing weapons, cash and training to Hamas militants in Gaza. Iran insists it only gives moral and political support to Hamas. Meshaal praised Iran for backing Hamas, Fars reported.