Former Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh Former Prime Minister in Gaza Ismail Haniyeh was advised by Gulf countries not to visit Iran, Palestinian sources confirmed to 'Arabstoday'.  The sources pointed out that Haniyeh has not made a decision yet about visiting Tehran, although he had announced before leaving the Gaza Strip last week that he would visit Qatar and Iran during his tour in the Gulf countries.
The Gulf's advice came “due to the tense relations between them and Iran, as the Gulf countries are concerned about the Iran's ambitions in the Persian Gulf. The high-profile reception to Haniyeh in Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait was a way to dissuade him from visiting Tehran,” sources said.
Hamas government spokesman Taher Nunu announced that Iranian President Ahmadinejad invited Haniyeh to visit Iran. However, the date of the visit was not announced.
Haniyeh visited Qatar and Bahrain and was received by royalty members. He is now visiting Kuwait, where he was received by the Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who during their meeting with the former PM announced Kuwait's "willingness to contribute effectively to the reconstruction and infrastructure,” pointing out the importance of solving the electricity's issues impeding communications with officials in Egypt.
Iran is the most prominent financial supporter of Hamas; however Haniyeh has received promising promises in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, especially regarding the reconstruction of what was destroyed by Israel in Gaza.
Yousef Rezqa, Haniyeh’s political advisor, denied the Saudi newspaper ‘Asharq’s claims saying that he would cancel the former PM of Gaza’s visit to Tehran, stressing that it is still on the agenda.