Iran Tries to Fold Gaza Into Its Talks With Washington

Iran is now trying to connect Gaza to its broader diplomatic track after previously tying the end of the Lebanon war to a deal with the United States. On Wednesday, the Iranian news agency Tasnim reported that Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi spoke by phone with a senior Hamas official in Gaza, Bassem Naim, and said Iran’s negotiating team would raise the issue of Israeli strikes in Gaza in its talks with Washington.

According to the report, Araghchi told Naim that the Iranian delegation would bring up what he called the ongoing aggression by the occupiers against Gaza, continuing violations, and the continuation of genocide and acts of extermination. He added that the issue would be raised in all international forums, as well as in talks with mediators and the American side.

The call came after Tehran linked the end of the war in Lebanon to an agreement with the US, a move that increased American pressure on Israel’s political leadership to advance a ceasefire in southern Lebanon and also led to additional limits on IDF strike capabilities in the country. The latest contact suggests Iran is again trying to use regional fighting to influence negotiations beyond Gaza itself.