The Islamic Republic of Iran's mission to the United Nations (U.N.) acknowledged Wednesday that Tehran provided Palestinian fighters with the necessary skills to carry out operations against Israel.
Up to now, Iran Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei praised the Hamas attack but stopped short of admitting Tehran's direct involvement.
Currently, over 1,200 Israelis, mostly civilians, were killed, and the operation has led to a significant Israeli military response in Gaza, resulting in the deaths of Palestinian terrorists.
On Tuesday, the Iranian mission to the U.N. echoed Khamenei's statements while now acknowledging that Tehran supported Palestinian armed groups to launch attacks against Israel.
"We have supported Palestinian fighters in acquiring fishing skills. They independently determine when, where, and how to engage in fishing according to their very own needs and interests," the mission said.
The mission alleged that reports of direct Iranian involvement are "a scapegoat to shift the blame."
The Supreme Leader of Iran said Tuesday that Israel and its allies have been spreading rumors, including the claim that Iran’s regime was behind the action, which he denied.
Hamas initially confirmed direct support from Iran and the Lebanese Shiite group Hezbollah for its attack but later revised its statement to suggest broader operational backing from Tehran.
In Washington, the Biden administration has denied Tehran's direct involvement in the attack.
United States Secretary of State Antony Blinken pushed back against claims that Iran assets that were recently freed up facilitated Hamas’s surprise attack on Israel, noting that the money has not been spent yet and that it can be only used for humanitarian purposes.
"Not a single dollar from that account has actually been spent to date," Blinken told on ABC's "This Week." "And in any event, it's very carefully and closely regulated by the Treasury Department to make sure that it's only used for food, for medicine, for medical equipment."
Many argue that funds are fungible and just the confidence of receiving billions in funding would allow Iran to generously spend on a terror attack of this caliber.
Lawmakers in Congress from both parties have called on the administration to investigate Iran's role in the terrorist invasion against Israel, given the Ayatollah's influence over Hamas and Hezbollah.
A group of lawmakers are also trying to have the Biden administration refreeze the $6 billion as a punitive measure for Iran’s involvement in the terror attack.
The U.S. has sent several carriers to the Eastern Mediterranean, warning Iran and its proxies not to get involved or further escalate. In response to America's actions, Iranian proxy leaders in Yemen, Iraq, and Bahrain have vowed to attack American forces and join the fight against Israel.
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