The story: Iran says it is in talks with Hamas to secure the release of non-Israeli hostages abducted during the Palestinian movement’s surprise attack on Israel earlier this month.

Tehran’s announcement that it is working towards securing the freeing of hostages follows its strong insistence that it was not involved in the Oct. 7 blitz. Nonetheless, Iran has backed the Hamas movement’s offensive as a “legitimate” response to Israel’s siege on Gaza and years of “discrimination” against Palestinians.

The coverage: Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani told reporters on Oct. 30 that Tehran was in contact with Hamas about the 239 people reportedly taken hostage on Oct 7. Hamas is said to seek the release of thousands of Palestinians held in Israeli jails...