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Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh expressed his gratitude for Iran’s backing of the Palestinian terrorist group in a telephone call with the Islamic Republic’s president-elect, Masoud Pezeshkian, on July 14. “We appreciate Iran for playing a role in supporting the Palestinian cause, and we demand more political and diplomatic efforts to bring an end to Israel’s aggression”, Haniyeh, the head of Hamas’s political bureau, told Pezeshkian, according to Iranian state media. Their conversation took place three days after Pezeshkian sent Haniyeh a letter pledging “comprehensive support for the oppressed people of Palestine until all [of] their aspirations and rights are realized and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is liberated.”
Pezeshkian also spoke with a leader of the Houthi rebels in Yemen, Mahdi al-Mashat, who serves as chair of the country’s Supreme Political Council. The Houthis — one of several Iranian proxies in the region — have attempted to widen the conflict between Israel and Hamas in Gaza by attacking commercial shipping in the Red Sea. During the call, Pezeshkian praised “Yemen’s months-long military operations targeting Israel-linked ships in the high seas over its war in the besieged territory.” He also vowed that his administration would make efforts to further expand ties with the Houthis.
Expert Analysis
“Pezeshkian has shown that he will continue the policy of his predecessor in supporting terrorist groups throughout the Middle East. This includes Iranian backing for Hamas, the Houthi rebels, Kataib Hezbollah in Iraq, and Hezbollah in Lebanon in their attacks on Israel and their threats against the West.” — Seth J.
Frantzman, FDD Adjunct Fellow
“The mullah lobby claims that Pezeshkian is a reformist and that Washington should offer him concessions — even more than those already made. However, Pezeshkian is neither moderate nor a reformist. For four decades, Washington has made concession after concession to the Islamist regime in Tehran, which has only increased the danger the regime poses to the United States. That must end and be replaced with maximum pressure on the regime and maximum support for the people of Iran.” — Saeed Ghasseminejad, FDD Senior Iran and Financial Economics Advisor
Iran’s President Reaffirms Support for Proxies
Despite being widely depicted in parts of the Western media as a “moderate” and a “reformer” who will soften Iran’s foreign policy, Pezeshkian has faithfully echoed the Tehran regime’s belligerent rhetoric towards Israel since his election on July 5. In one of his first acts, Pezeshkian dispatched a message to Hezbollah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah on July 7, underlining that Iran “has always supported the resistance of the people in the region against the illegitimate Zionist regime.” This stance is “rooted in the fundamental policies of the Islamic Republic of Iran, the ideals of the late Imam Khomeini, and the guidance of the Supreme Leader,” he said. In another indication that Iran will retain its hardline position under Pezeshkian, the president-elect lauded China and Russia while denouncing the United States in a statement on July 13. “China and Russia have consistently stood by us during challenging times. We deeply value this friendship … Russia is a valued strategic ally and neighbor to Iran and my administration will remain committed to expanding and enhancing our cooperation,” he stated. Pezeshkian also reassured Syrian President Bashar al-Assad on July 9 that the Islamic Republic will continue supporting Syria and its “resistance” forces. All of Pezeshkian’s statements in support of Iranian proxies have been prominently reported on in the Islamic Republic’s media, illustrating Tehran’s determination to retain and strengthen ties with these groups.
