In Letters To Leaders Of Hamas, Hizbullah And Syria, Iran's New President, Masoud Pezeshkian, Pledges: The Policy Of Supporting The Resistance Against Israel Will Continue 'Full Force'

Although Iran's new president, Masoud Pezeshkian, is presented as a pragmatist and is supported by Iran's reformist camp, his election does not herald a shift in the policy and strategy of the Iranian Revolution regime, which are formulated by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. In fact, Pezeshkian clarified even before his election that, if he became president, he would follow Khamenei's directives.[1]

Immediately after his win, he  conveyed messages to the leaders of the resistance axis, including Hamas leader Isma'il Haniya, Hizbullah leader Hassan Nasrallah and Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, that, under his presidency, Iran's policy of supporting the resistance will continue "full force."  In addition, immediately after his election Pezeshkian published an article in Arabic in which he called on Iran's Arab neighbors to tighten their cooperation with it and stressed the need for comprehensive resistance against Israel.

Masoud Pezeshkian (Image: X.com/irnaEnglish)

This report reviews the messages conveyed by Pezeshkian upon his election regarding the resistance axis and the need to continue confronting Israel.

Pezeshkian to Nasrallah: Iran's Staunch Support For The Resistance Will Continue

In a July 6, 2024 letter to Pezeshkian congratulating him on his win, Hizbullah Secretary-General Hassan Nasrallah stressed that "Hizbullah and the resistance movements see Iran as a strong and steady supporter of the oppressed resistance fighters," and added: "Together with you, we will continue on the way to divine victory, and the Islamic and powerful Iran will be the central pillar [of that victory]."[2] In his answering letter, Pezeshkian stressed Iran's commitment to supporting the resistance and promised that this policy, which is part of Iran's core ideology, will continue full force: "…The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the resistance of the people of the region against the illegitimate Zionist regime. Supporting the resistance is rooted in the fundamental policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, in the ideals of [its founder], Imam [Khomeini], and in the directives of the Supreme Leader [Ali Khamenei], and it will continue full force. I am confident that the resistance movements in the region will not allow this [Zionist] regime to continue its criminal war against the oppressed people of Palestine and against other countries in the region. I thank you for your sincere prayers on my behalf, and beseech  Almighty God to grant honor and glory to you, prosperity and progress to the people of Lebanon and divine support to the heroic fighters of the resistance."[3]

Pezeshkian's statement in which pledged to continue supporting the resistance and described this as a key element of Iran's policy was also quoted on the cover of Vitrin, the magazine of Iran's Tasnim news agency, which is close to the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC). In addition to the quote, the cover featured a picture of Pezeshkian and Nasrallah under the headline "Strategic Depth."

The cover of Vitrin magazine (Image: Tasnimnews.com, July 9, 2024)

Pezeshkian To Haniya: Iran Is Committed To Supporting The Palestinians In Their Struggle Against Israel

Hamas political bureau head Isma'il Haniya likewise sent a letter on congratulations  to Pezeshkian upon his victory, in which he wrote: "I send you this congratulatory letter while our Palestinian people and its resistance are waging one of the most honorable historic campaigns, with courage and steadfastness: the Al-Aqsa Flood campaign… I and my people are confident that you will serve Iran [well], overcome all the challenges and difficulties, and continue to follow the Islamic nation's united path via-a-vis its enemy [Israel], to promote the central cause of the [Islamic] nation [i.e., the Palestinian cause] and to support the Palestinian people, who are accustomed to being nobly treated by Iran."[4]  

In his reply, Pezeshkian stressed: "Out of commitment to the principles and supreme goals of the Islamic Revolution, and in keeping with the ideals of Imam Khomeini and the directives of the leader of the Islamic Revolution [Khamenei], the Islamic Republic of Iran regards it as its human and Islamic duty to support the Palestinian people in its struggle against the occupation and the racist discrimination of the Zionist entity. [Iran]  will persist in comprehensively supporting the oppressed Palestinian people until it realizes all its goals and rights and until Jerusalem is liberated." He added: "I am confident that, thanks to the historic stance of the resisting people in Palestine and in the oppressed but powerful Gaza, and thanks to the heroic struggle of the Palestinian resistance fighters in the current war, the beloved Palestine will attain a divine victory."[5]   

Pezeshkian To Assad: Iran Will Continue To Support The Palestinians, The Resistance And Syria

Another leader who congratulated Pezeshkian on his win was the President of Syria, Bashar Al-Assad, who emphasized that he would work with the Iranian president to strengthen the strategic relations between the two countries, and added: "Resistance will continue to be the common path we take to maintain the strength of our countries and protect the interests of our peoples."[6] 

In a phone conversation with Pezeshkian several days later, Assad said that the relations between Syria and Iran "are grounded in mutual trust and principles, and draw their significance from the [shared] resistance against the [foreign] hegemony over the unstable region, which is facing the threat of historical colonial ambitions."[7]  The Iranian president stressed in response that "the policy of the Islamic Republic of Iran under the direction and leadership of Supreme Leader [Khamenei], which is grounded in support for Palestine, for the resistance camp and for the Syrian government and nation as a strategic ally of Iran, will continue."[8] 

Pezeshkian In Article Published In Arab Papers: Only Palestinian Resistance To The Occupation Will Ensure The Security Of The Region

Pezeshkian expressed similar sentiments in an article that was published July 10, 2024 in the London-based Qatari daily Al-Arabi Al-Jadid, and one day later also in the Lebanese daily Al-Akhbar, which is close to Hizbullah. Addressing Iran's neighbors, he called upon them to increase the cooperation in order to create a stronger region and stressed the Palestinians' right to wage comprehensive resistance against Israel.

He wrote: "The bleeding wound that is Palestine is the concern of us all, as is the treatment of this wound. The Islamic Republic of Iran salutes the steadfastness of the Palestinian people and their resistance in Gaza against the barbarity of the Zionist occupier. It emphasizes its belief that security and stability in the region will be achieved only through recognition of the Palestinian people's right to wage comprehensive resistance in order to liberate themselves from occupation and secure their natural and inherent rights…"[9]