Iran's Rowhani must adopt balanced approach

Senior Hamas official Ahmed Yousef has claimed that relations between the Palestinian faction and Iran have deteriorated because of Syrian crisis and Iran's complete support for President Bashar al-Assad's regime. In an exclusive interview with Arab Today, Yousef said he is hoping Iran's new president Hasan Rowhani will adopt a more balanced approach compared to his predecessor Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. "Rowhani needs to adopt more balanced policies in the international relations arena, especially regarding the Palestinian cause and Hamas," Yousef said. The Hamas representative also argued that Hamas needs Iran's support in its fight against the Israeli occupation, and urged Rowhani to reconsider the state's support for the Syrian regime. Commenting on Iran's financial support for Hamas, Yousef said that the Islamic movement is confident Iran would continue with its support, considering Israel is threatening Iran, and Hamas and Islamic Jihad are key allies of Iran in the region. Yousef explained that Hamas' relations with Hezbollah are also weaker now, pointing to the Lebanese group's intervention in the Syrian conflict as a significant factor. He said that Hezbollah is not Lebanon's decision-maker, and denied recent reports stating that Hezbollah had told Hamas delegates in Lebanon to leave. Yousef reiterated his and Islamic Resistance Movement's support for the Syrian people, who are "demanding their legitimate rights of freedom and democracy." The Hamas official confirmed that talks between Hamas and Western officials have been going on for some time, adding there was some "behind the scenes" communication with European officials. Yousef said it is important for Hamas to be removed from the global terrorism organisations list, adding that negotiations are better than isolation.