Iran’s New President is not a Reformist

The Islamic Republic of Iran’s two-part presidential elections on June 28 and July 5 resulted in the lowest turnout on record since the 1979 revolution, a testament to the tanking legitimacy and popularity of the world’s leading state sponsor of terrorism, antisemitism, and Holocaust denial. The majority of Iranian voters protested what they dubbed as “Circus Elections,” ahead of which the Guardian Council had banned seventy-four candidates from running. Although media outlets have described the ultimate winner, Masoud Pezeshkian, who was sworn in earlier today, as a “reformist,” many Iran watchers warn against being fooled by his political label.

Pezeshkian’s interactions with and statements about the Iranian regime’s terrorist proxies across the Middle East offer a more accurate picture of his worldview. Hassan Nasrallah, the secretary general of Tehran’s Lebanese proxy Hezbollah, was one of the first to congratulate Pezeshkian, stating: 

We, in Hezbollah and in resistance movements in the region, consider the patronage of the Islamic Republic as strong, stable, and eternal. We will accompany your government on the path to the realization of final victory, which will be based on a strong and powerful Iran.

In his response to Nasrallah, Pezeshkian pledged the regime’s support for Hezbollah, writing: 

The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the resistance of the people in the region against the illegitimate Zionist regime. Supporting the resistance 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, and will continue with strength.

Similarly, Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of Hamas’s political bureau, expressed his gratitude to Pezeshkian during a phone call: “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.” Earlier, Pezeshkian had pledged his “comprehensive support” to Hamas “until all their aspirations and rights are realized and Al-Quds (Jerusalem) is liberated.”

As a politician, Pezeshkian has firmly abided by this basic Iranian-regime tenet, consistently expressing anti-Israel views. For example, in December 2023, while serving as a member of parliament, he stated: “Zionists are murderers, Zionists attacked the maternal land of Palestinians and trampled on the basic rights of the people of this land.”

He added:

In addition to encroachment and occupation of this land from more than half a century ago until today, the Zionists, using false pretenses, have bombarded the people of Palestine, have carried out many crimes against them, and have trampled on all international laws regarding such issues and have not shown any mercy to women, children, the young and the old.

Pezeshkian also justified Hamas’s murderous attack on Israel on October 7: 

When a people [ie. Gazans] are under siege and are, in a way, imprisoned and are not allowed any movement, eventually, they will react. No one can stay in prison until the end of their life. The Palestinian nation carried out the Al-Aqsa operation because of sanctions, siege, cruelty, and oppression. The people of Palestine want their lives and freedom.

Pezeshkian also publicly supported the Islamic Republic’s massive drone and missile attack against Israel on the night of April 13. He described the attack as a “source of pride:” 

The world did not imagine that the armed forces of the Islamic Republic could even throw a stone in their [Israel’s] direction, and in the operation, all the world’s missile powers came to Israel’s help, but ultimately, Iran’s drones and missiles hit their targets and their grandeur collapsed.

Although the new Iranian president has been echoing regime hardliners in embracing terrorism against the Jewish State, he also has diverged from them in other areas of foreign policy. During his presidential campaign, he called for the Islamic Republic’s return to the nuclear deal. He has also claimed to desire an improvement in relations with the United States and the European Union.

During Pezeshkian’s election campaign, the issue of supporting Palestinians against Israel was raised mostly by Shamsollah Alvaezin, the head of his campaign. In an interview with the regime’s Ofogh TV on June 16, 2024, Alvaezin stated that for years, the issue of Palestine has been one of Pezeshkian’s concerns. “In case of victory [in the elections], special expert groups regarding Palestine will be formed and the issue of Palestine will receive special attention from the region’s countries [the Middle East] and Islamic countries.” Alvaezin added that as president, Pezeshkian plans to support the Palestinians by joining South Africa’s genocide case against Israel at the International Court of Justice.

Statements by Pezeshkian and his inner circle show that despite potential outreach to the European Union and the United States, Tehran’s support for terror groups targeting Israel and Jews worldwide will likely continue unabated. Pezeshkian calls himself a reformist, yet neither he nor his boss, Khamenei, have any intention of “reforming” the regime’s sponsorship of terrorism, antisemitism, and Holocaust denial. It would be prudent for the international community to remember that when dealing with the new Iranian president and not be fooled by the misleading “reformist” label.

Meir Javedanfar is an Iranian-Israeli lecturer, author, and commentator. He has been teaching Iranian politics at Reichman University in Israel since 2012 and is the Anti-Defamation League’s Advisor on Iranian Affairs. Follow him on X @MeirJa.

Aykan Erdemir is ADL’s Director of Global Research and Diplomatic Affairs. Follow him on X @aykan_erdemir.

Image: Khamenei.ir.