Media: Hamas seeks greater Iranian financial, diplomatic backing

Senior Hamas officials have asked Iran to increase its diplomatic, financial and logistical support as the Palestinian group seeks to bolster its position amid international efforts to demilitarise Gaza under a US-backed peace initiative, The Times of Israel reports.

It said a Hamas delegation led by political bureau chief Mohammed Ismail Darwish held a meeting with senior Iranian officials, during which Hamas presented Tehran with a series of requests, including that Iran serve as a “diplomatic safety net.”

Iranian officials included Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf.

The talks, reportedly, took place on the sidelines of the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on July 4.

The outlet noted that the group urged Iran to publicly oppose any proposal that would require Hamas to disarm or relinquish control of the Gaza Strip.

Iran has long provided political, financial and military support to Hamas and Hezbollah, both of which are designated as terrorist organisations by the United States and several Western countries, exposing Tehran to international sanctions.

Hamas's refusal to disarm or surrender power has remained a major obstacle to advancing US President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, with limited progress since the ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 following two years of conflict triggered by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel.

While Hamas has repeatedly indicated a willingness to transfer some of its weapons, it has maintained that any such move must be part of a broader Palestinian political process — a condition Israel has rejected.

The report further stated that Hamas asked Iran to tie developments in Gaza to any future negotiations with Washington, similar to how Tehran linked Lebanon and Hezbollah issues to recent ceasefire talks with the United States.

Specifically, Hamas reportedly requested that Iran include "ending Israeli erosion operations in the Gaza Strip" among its demands in future discussions with Washington.

Although a ceasefire has formally been in place since October 2025, Israel has continued near-daily strikes in Gaza, arguing that they are aimed at preventing imminent threats. The Israeli military has also gradually expanded the areas under its control in the enclave.

Following the ceasefire, the Israel Defence Forces controlled roughly 53 per cent of Gaza, a figure that reportedly increased to around 60 per cent in subsequent months. In May, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced that he had instructed troops to continue advancing until Israeli forces held 70 per cent of the territory.

According to the report, Hamas requested additional financial and logistical assistance from Iran to rebuild military capabilities heavily damaged during Israel's two-year campaign against the group.

Despite facing its own reconstruction challenges following recent hostilities with the United States and Israel, Iran reportedly agreed to all of Hamas's requests and pledged continued financial and diplomatic support until "complete victory" had been achieved for the Palestinian cause.

The report further stressed that Tehran also agreed to incorporate Hamas's demands and negotiating positions into its own talks with Washington, although those discussions have since stalled amid renewed fighting.

By Bakhtiyar Abbasov