A former Revolutionary Guard (IRGC) officer, Ezzatollah Zarghami, has admitted to providing military training to Hamas forces, including the use of missiles in the underground tunnels in Gaza.
Zarghami, who now serves as Iran's Minister of Tourism and Cultural Heritage, discussed on Iranian state television on Wednesday how the IRGC provides military support to the "Resistance" forces, including Hezbollah and Hamas.
“The Axis of Resistance,” referring to Tehran-backed forces in the region, includes Palestinian militant groups, Houthis in Yemen, the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah, and others.
Zarghami, sanctioned by the EU for his role as the head of Iranian state TV, explained that he was in charge of providing the Fajr-3, a medium-range ballistic missile, to Palestinian and Lebanese militias.
"I say this with pride, and we don't fear anyone. As the Leader [Ali Khamenei] says, we help oppressed people wherever we see them," he said.
Iranian authorities have denied any direct involvement in the Gaza war, which began on October 7 when Hamas launched a massive terror attack from Gaza into Israel, resulting in at least 1,200 deaths, mostly civilians, and the taking of about 240 others hostage.
Following the attack, Israel launched a major offensive into Gaza, claiming, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 14,000 lives.
After seven weeks of war, Israel and Hamas have initiated a four-day ceasefire and the release of some hostages, with both sides stating that the break is only temporary.
