Russian Ambassador to Iran Luan Jagaryan said Aug. 1 that Hamas is a national movement and one of the main representatives of the Palestinian people, and that Moscow does not consider it a terrorist organization.

Jagaryan made this statement during a meeting with Khaled Kaddoumi, the Hamas representative in Iran, who stressed Russia's pivotal role in supporting the Palestinian people.

Kaddoumi told Al-Monitor, “International relations are a buildup process. Hamas’ relationship with Russia is greater than statements made here and there. Their political relationship was officially launched in March 2006 when the Hamas leadership visited Moscow after winning the Palestinian legislative elections in January of the same year. The visit constituted a political breakthrough in the movement’s international relations since Russia is a member of the Quartet on the Middle East.”

He added, “In May 2010, a historic meeting was held between Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal and Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev in Damascus. The Russian presidential and governmental representatives as well as officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry in charge of Middle East and North African affairs held several meetings with the Hamas political leadership in a number of Arab capitals.”