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Why Did Iran Postpone Meshaal Visit?

The "resistance" axis of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah are not in agreement over welcoming Hamas back into the fold.

Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal (C) visits the Islamic University in Gaza City December 9, 2012. Hamas's vow to vanquish Israel after claiming "victory" in last month's Gaza conflict vindicates Israel's reluctance to relinquish more land to the Palestinians, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday. Meshaal made a defiant speech before thousands of supporters in the Gaza Strip on Saturday, promising to take "inch-by-inch" all of modern-day Israel, which he said he would never recognise.      REUTERS/Suha
Hamas chief Khaled Meshaal visits the Islamic University in Gaza City, Dec. 9, 2012. — REUTERS/Suhaib Salem

News that the head of Hamas’ political bureau, Khaled Meshaal, may visit Iran has dominated the behind-the-scenes Palestinian political discourse. Decision-makers in Gaza, Doha, Tehran and Damascus have exchanged indirect messages about the speculated visit.

Amir Mousavi, an official in the Supreme Council for the Iranian Revolution, told Hamas’ Al-Resalah newspaper on Oct. 23 that preparations are being made for a meeting between Meshaal and Iranian President Hassan Rouhani in the coming weeks to strengthen bilateral relations.

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