On Sunday evening, July 30, 2016, Mahmoud Abbas, the president of Palestine authority met with Maryam Rajavi, the president-elect of the Iranian resistance (MKO) and they discussed new developments in the region. The Iranian resistance (MKO) is an opposition movement in exile that advocates the overthrow of the Islamic Republic regime. MKO was one the back bones of Islamic Revolution in 1979 which was formed by left-leaning Muslim students. Right after the victory of the revolution, MKO was banned from any political activity by Ayatollah Khomeini and dozens of its members went to exile or sought refuge in other countries. The Iranian regime has recognized them as the terrorist group because of their co-operation with Saddam Hussein during Iran-Iraq war and international community also approved this title. In 2009 European Union and the U.S government removed MKO from their black lists and recognized it as an official political party.

The recent meeting between President Abbas and Mrs. Rajavi can be counted as an unofficial meeting which has not any tangible outcome, but it defiantly has some visible and invisible messages. The meeting between MKO Ring-leaders and Palestine authority Presidents is not something new but the recent meeting is very important because of the other activities of the MKO which took place recently.

The reaction of an adviser to Iranian Foreign Minister, Mohammad Javad Zarif, has shown the Islamic Republic’s anger from this meeting. Sheikholeslam has harshly criticized the recent meeting between Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the ringleader and said: “That a Palestinian faction that compromises with the Zionists (Israelis) and that has yielded to Israel under US pressure... today meets with terrorist elements is no surprise.” He also mentioned that was already in possession of evidence of Abbas’ secret collaborations with the United States. He said the relations between Mahmoud Abbas and terrorist groups and Israelis have been covert and have only become publicized today.

Iran was never supported by President Abbas, since he was elected. Mahmoud Abbas, the head of the Fateh organization, has his power in Jordan valley. Iran always has supported its competitor, Hamas, which is active in Gaza strip. The problem is that since almost three years ago Hamas organization tied a close relationship with Saudi Arabia which is the most important competitor of Iran within the region.

This meeting will become much more important when we take to account the recent speech of Turki Al-Faisal in MKO rally in Paris. One week ago, during the MKO convention, the former director of Saudi Arabia General Intelligence directorate, Prince Turki Al-Faisal, officially said that he is for regime change in Iran.

One of the fundamental principles of Islamic Republic’s foreign policies is supporting Palestinians. It seems that by increasing the tension in Iran-Saudi’s relation, Saudi Arabia is trying to recruit Iran’s Palestinian allies. It might show that Saudi Arabia is willing to pay-off Iranians activities in Iraq, Bahrain, Yemen and Syria by supporting opposition groups like MKO and others. The main question is, is the Middle East ready for any new gamble or not?

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