Iran's president-elect reaffirms support for Hamas, Houthis

Iran's President-elect Masoud Pezeshkian on Sunday reiterated the Islamic Republic's support for the Palestinian Hamas militant group as well as Yemen's Tehran-backed Houthis.

While Pezeshkian has not identified himself as a reformist nor has he officially aligned with any reformist factions, Western media has recently portrayed him as a "reformist" or "moderate." However, his actions and statements since his election victory align with the policies set by Khamenei, including supporting the anti-Israel "Resistance Front."

In a phone conversation with Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh on Sunday, Pezeshkian said the Islamic Republic will never leave the Palestinian nation alone in these difficult times."

This was their first phone call following Israel's Saturday strike targeting Hamas military chief Mohammed Deif.

Pezeshkian had earlier on Wednesday reiterated Tehran's support for its proxy groups fighting Israel, a move that once again signals Iran's major policies are dictated by Khamenei, leaving presidents with little room for change.

Similar sentiments were conveyed to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Hezbollah Secretary General Hassan Nasrallah, demonstrating Pezeshkian's commitment to the so-called Axis of Resistance.

Praise for Houthis amid ship attacks

In a separate call with Houthi military leader Mahdi al-Mashat on Sunday, Pezeshkian said the "people of Iran and free nations appreciate the actions of the Yemenis under the current difficult circumstances." He also expressed hope for expansion of relations between the two sides.

Iran has been arming, training, and funding the Houthi militia, which have been launching attacks against commercial vessels since the beginning of Israel-Hamas war in Gaza Strip last year.

Over 60 targeted attacks on vessels, along with missile and drone launches, have resulted in the deaths of four sailors and the kidnapping of dozens. These attacks followed a call from Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei for Muslim nations to blockade Israeli trade.

In his phone call with al-Mashat, the Iranian president-elect criticized certain Muslim countries for acting “based on their own interests and merely issue statements" in the wake of Israel's war on Gaza.

“Naturally, free nations will judge those rulers who have not taken action to stop the crimes of the Zionist regime against the Palestinian people," he said.

The comments echo similar statements by Khamenei who has criticized other Islamic countries for not severing all relations with Israel and "being soft" on the Jewish state.