Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei received Ziyad al-Nakhaleh, the secretary-general of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad movement, along with his delegation in Tehran on Tuesday.

During the meeting, Khamenei congratulated the Palestinian resistance on its recent victory against Israel in Gaza. He noted that Israel, after failing to eliminate Hamas and other resistance groups, was forced to agree to a ceasefire.

“The great work of the leaders and fighters of the Palestinian resistance in creating unity and cohesion, and steadfastness against the enemy, along with the patience and perseverance of the (Palestinian) people, has brought honor to the resistance in the region,” Khamenei stated.

He emphasized that this success has set “a new benchmark” in the ongoing struggle against the Israeli occupation. Khamenei also pointed out that Israel is now negotiating the release of its prisoners held in Gaza in exchange for a larger number of Palestinian prisoners, despite its initial goal of dismantling the resistance.

Khamenei criticized a reported plan by U.S. President Donald Trump to “take over” Gaza after its population had been forcibly displaced. He asserted that global public opinion now favors the Palestinian cause and that any future proposals must have the approval of both the resistance and the people of Gaza.

Ziyad al-Nakhaleh praised the support of Iran for the Palestinian cause and stated that the resistance had been engaged in an asymmetric war against Israel and its Western allies for the past year and a half.

“The Palestinian resistance has, in fact, been at war with the United States and the West for the past year and a half,” he said. “Despite the unequal balance of (military) power, the Palestinian resistance has been able to achieve great victories.”

The meeting highlights Iran's continued role in supporting Palestinian factions and underscores the broader geopolitical implications of the ongoing conflict in Gaza. (ILKHA)