“The warm welcome that the delegation received expresses Iran's solidarity [with Islamic Jihad] and its rejection of US policy. It shows that [Tehran] still supports resistance factions. This was a large delegation, headed by Ramadan, and it included his deputy and a number of members of the movement's political bureau, in addition to Islamic Jihad's representative in Iran. The visit comes at a time when some believe that Tehran's policy toward resistance movements is changing. But Iran is reiterating its support for the Palestinian cause, regardless of the developments in its relationship with the West. The Palestinian cause is one of Iran's objectives.”Asmaa al-Ghoul, “Hamas Isolated as Iran Boosts Ties with Islamic Jihad, Fatah,” Al-Monitor, February 12, 2014, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2014/02/islamic-jihad-fatah-hamas-iran-palestinians.html.

“All of the weapons in Gaza are provided by Iran, be they weapons intended for the Hamas movement or for the PIJ. Perhaps Hamas even has more Iranian weapons than us; and everyone knows that Iran is financing us… The PIJ is a resistance movement, and while there are many parties in the Arab and Muslim world offering support for the resistance, the largest share of this financial and military support is coming from Iran.”Asmaa al-Ghoul, “Palestinian Islamic Jihad: Iran Supplies All Weapons in Gaza,” Al-Monitor, May 14, 2013, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/05/gaza-islamic-jihad-and-iranian-arms.html.

“We are not the only Palestinian armed group that receives an Iranian support, but we are the one that admits it the loudest. We feel it’s like an inevitable gratitude… I wonder why Iranian support for Palestinian armed groups is not acceptable as we are the victims, while the American support for Israel is acceptable despite Israel being the aggressor.”Abeer Ayyoub, “Iran Top Backer of Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Al-Monitor, January 9, 2013, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/01/palestinian-islamic-jihad.html.

“Iran has adopted the Palestinian resistance since its Islamic revolution. It has been a loyal backer. Consequently, Iranian assistance for the Syrian regime has nothing to do with our relations with Iran, even when our views are different… Iran was pleased with the victory the Palestinian resistance achieved. This is why it’s likely to increase its support for us, for what we have lost during the war and because we need to rebuild our infrastructure.”Abeer Ayyoub, “Iran Strengthens Ties To Palestinian Islamic Jihad,” Al-Monitor, January 21, 2013, http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/01/iran-islamicjihad-hamas-gaza.html.