U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley said on August 31 that Iran is showing its “true colors” by renewing ties with the Palestinian militant group Hamas and providing it with arms.
Yahya al-Sinwar, the new head of Hamas, said this week that Iran has recently become the “biggest supporter” of its military wing, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades, and that Hamas’ ties with Iran are now “fantastic.”
Haley described Sinwar’s statement as a “stunning admission,” and said Iran’s relationship with Hamas is in violation of a UN ban on Iranian arms exports.
“Iran is showing its true colors. Iran must decide whether it wants to be a member of the community of nations that can be expected to take its international obligations seriously or whether it wants to be the leader of a jihadist terrorist movement. It cannot be both,” Haley said.
“It’s long past time for the international community to hold Iran to the same standard that all countries who actually value peace and security are held to,” she said.
Iran has not responded to Haley’s accusations.
The United States considers Hamas, which has fought three wars with Israel since 2008, a terrorist organization.
Source » rferl