Hamas leader confirms Iranian training

GAZA , March 9 (UPI) -- A top Hamas official has confirmed reports that members of the militant Palestinian political organization have received military training in Iran.

The unidentified Izzedine al-Qassam Brigades official said Hamas fighters have been trained in Tehran by members of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard for more than two years, The Times of London reported Sunday.

"We have sent seven 'courses' of our fighters to Iran," the anonymous militant official said. "During each course, the group receives training that he will use to increase our capacity to fight."

The commander said 650 other Hamas troops have received similar military training in Syria, adding there are 62 militants currently taking part in training in the Arab republic.

The official, who withheld his identity to avoid being targeted by Israeli forces, said the Iranian training prepares the militants for their ongoing efforts against Israel.

"They come home with more abilities that we need," he said, "such as high-tech capabilities, knowledge about land mines and rockets, sniping, and fighting tactics like the ones used by Hezbollah, when they were able to come out of tunnels from behind the Israelis and attack them successfully."

Hamas is considered a terrorist organization by the United States and others.