Tehran: Iran's permanent mission to the United Nations in New York has categorically rejected claims linking Tehran to Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. The Iranian mission's statement came in response to questions from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal regarding Israel's allegations of having access to minutes from Hamas' secret meetings.
The Allegations: Fabricated Documents?
According to The New York Times, the minutes of Hamas' secret meetings, seized by the Israeli military, revealed a detailed record of the planning for the October 7 attack ¹. The report alleged that Yahya Sinwar, Hamas' political bureau chief, sought to persuade Iran and Hezbollah to join the operation or commit to a broader fight with Israel.
However, Iran's mission to the UN dismissed these claims, stating that any attempt to link the operation to Iran or Hezbollah is "invalid and comes from fabricated documents" ¹. Hamas officials based in Doha also denied knowledge of the operation, attributing the planning and execution solely to Hamas' military wing in Gaza.
A History of Support, Not Involvement
Iranian officials have consistently maintained that while Iran supports Palestinian resistance groups, including Hamas, it had no prior knowledge of the attack on Israel and was not involved in its execution. This stance is consistent with Iran's long-standing policy of supporting Palestinian groups without direct involvement in their operations.
The Consequences of the Attack
The October 7 attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 people and the taking of 250 hostages. In response, the Israeli military launched a large-scale offensive on Gaza, which has led to significant humanitarian concerns.
A Complex Web of Relations
The allegations and denials surrounding Iran's involvement in the October 7 attack highlight the complex web of relations between Iran, Hamas, and Hezbollah. While Iran's support for Palestinian resistance groups is well-documented, the extent of its involvement in specific operations remains a subject of debate.