Iranian Leaders Say Giving Hamas Military Assistance

November 21, 2012

Senior Iranian civilian and military leaders claim Tehran has given Hamas military assistance, including longer-range missiles.

General Mohammad Ali Jafari, head of Iran's powerful Revolutionary Guard, says his country has given fighters in Gaza the ability to produce longer-range missiles on their own, without direct shipments.

Meanwhile, parliament speaker Ali Larijani said Tehran was "proud to defend the people of Palestine and Hamas."

He said Iranian assistance had been financial and military.

Iran has never made a secret of its support for Israeli foes Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the Gaza Strip, but generally does not acknowledge sending military aid.

Israel has accused Iran of supplying Hamas with its Fajr-5 missile, used to target Tel Aviv since an Israeli offensive on Gaza was launched a week ago.

Based on reporting by AFP and AP

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/iran-says-giving-hamas-military-aid/24777658.html

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