Tehran: An Iranian semiofficial news agency has reported that the Hamas prime minister of Gaza has arrived in Tehran. The visit may be an attempt by the Palestinian militant movement to avoid snubbing Iran even as it cultivates ties with the wealthy Gulf.

The Friday report by Fars said that Ismail Haniyeh will meet Iranian leaders, despite what the agency claimed as efforts by Gulf countries like Qatar and Kuwait to stop the visit.

Some in Hamas want to be a part of the broader Islamist political rise triggered by last year's Arab Spring uprisings. For this, Hamas needs new friends among Gulf states  at odds with Iran.

But others in the movement may wish to maintain the relationship with Tehran, which helped Hamas when it had few friends in the Arab world.

Tags: arab spring uprisings, Hamas, hamas leader in Iran, hamas prime minister of gaza, Ismail Haniyeh

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