Iran has stepped up its efforts to support Hamas in Gaza, transferring tens of millions of dollars to Izzadin Kassam, Hamas’ military wing, to help with rebuilding efforts, the UK Telegraph revealed Sunday, 5 April, 2015. The funds have reportedly been allocated to the rebuilding of tunnels and restocking of missile arsenals destroyed by Israel during Operation Protective Edge. Iran’s renewed support is a sign of a revival in Iran-Hamas relations. In addition to backing Hamas, Iran has been funding the Shi’ite Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Shi’ite Iraqi government forces in Tikrit. A Western security official told reporters that the Iranians are “trying very hard to increase their influence throughout the Middle East region.” (J. Post)


IRAN’S PERSIAN STATEMENT ON “DEAL” CONTRADICTS AMERICAN CLAIMS:There has been no agreement on any of the fundamental issues that led to international concern about Iran's secret nuclear activities. All we have are a number of contradictory statements by various participants in the latest round of talks. The Persian text carefully avoids words that might give the impression that anything has been agreed by the Iranian side or that the Islamic Republic has offered any concessions. The American statement claims that Iran has agreed not to use advanced centrifuges, while the Iranian text insists that "work on advanced centrifuges shall continue." The American text claims that Iran has agreed to dismantle the core of the heavy water plutonium plant in Arak. The Iranian text says the opposite. The USA talks of sanctions "relief" while Iran claims the sanctions would be "immediately terminated." (NY Post)