Iran's President Pezeshkian speaks with Hamas leader, praises Houthis

The newly elected president of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian, spoke with Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh on Monday, Iranian state media reported. Haniyeh “expressed gratitude towards the Islamic Republic of Iran over its support for the Palestinian cause and called for stepped-up diplomatic efforts to end the Israeli regime’s aggression against Gaza,” Iran’s IRNA said.

The Iranian leader also held a phone call with the Houthis in Yemen, where he praised their nine months of attacks in “support” of Hamas in Gaza.

The phone call was one of several that Pezeshkian has had since becoming leader of Iran. In each case, the new Iranian leader has acted to showcase Iran’s close ties to anti-western countries such as Russia and also to make it clear Iran will continue to back terrorist groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas.

Hamas’ leader spoke to the Iranian leader and praised Iran for backing Hamas. “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 said.

Earlier this year, the International Criminal Court sought indictment for Haniyeh for crimes against humanity for his role on October 7. Haniyeh resides in Qatar, a US ally, where he leads Hamas along with other Hamas leaders who live in Doha. READ MORE