Free Republic

Hamas says its leader shook hands with Saudi Arabia’s King Salman after Muslim holiday prayers, signaling an easing of tensions over the Palestinian group’s ties with Saudi regional rival Iran. There was no official announcement in Saudi state media of Hamas leader Khaled Mashaal’s visit to Saudi Arabia. The visit came days after Iran reached a nuclear deal with Western powers, prompting concern among its regional rivals. …

Khaled Mashaal, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, will visit Iran soon, the movement confirmed on Thursday, according to Kol Yisrael radio. Hamas used to be heavily backed by Iran, but the relations between the Islamic Republic and the terror group have been strained for the past two years because of the civil war in Syria. …