Hezbollah's Nasrallah Sends Iran's President-Elect Message That Will Worry Israel, U.S.
Pezeshkian is seen as a reformist but is entering the job aid heightened tensions
Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the head of Hezbollah, congratulated Iranian president-elect Masoud Pezeshkian for his election win on Saturday and vowed that the resistance movement will continue “until we achieve final victory.”
“I congratulate you on this blessed election by the dear and honorable Iranian people, and I ask God Almighty to protect you, help you, guide you, and enable you to achieve the hopes and aspirations of these loyal people and their sacrifices,” Nasrallah’s message read, according to Iran’s Press TV. He continued, “Your Excellency, we will remain on this path with you, God willing, until we achieve final victory, the main pillar of which will be a strong, dear, and powerful Islamic Iran.”
Pezeshkian, a heart doctor, was seen as a centrist and a reform candidate who wanted to be a president for all Iranians. Anadolu Ajansi reported: “Pezeshkian gave indications he would be more open to diplomatic engagement with the world, including the West, and intends to initiate reforms in economic and cultural domains.”
Pezeshkian won with 16.3 million votes, defeating Saeed Jalili's 13.5 million.
Seyed Mohammad Marandi, a professor of English Literature and Orientalism, University of Tehran, posted on X: “He's a staunch supporter of the Resistance and the Palestinian people. He isn't a naive politician who can be deceived into believing that the collective West has benign intentions.”
Trita Parsi, vice president of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft told Newsweek in an email that Pezeshkian is unlikely to make much difference to Iran's policies, which will continue to be led by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.
“Some important changes in Iran's foreign policy are likely,” he said.
Hezbollah and Israel have been carrying out a slow-burn war for years, but the intensity increased after the Hamas attack and the subsequent U.S.-backed genocide in Gaza.
Hezbollah has made it clear that it will continue to pound Israeli targets and make it impossible for about 60,000 Israelis to return to their homes in occupied northern Israel as long as the genocide in Gaza continues.
HAMAS JUST MADE IT HARDER FOR BLINKEN TO COVER FOR ISRAEL
Nasrallah repeated that the only scenario that would end the fighting is if Israel ends its massacre in Gaza.
Hezbollah is not Hamas and is considered a deadlier force. Israel would need U.S. support to defend itself in a war.
Nasrallah published images of northern Israel that were taken by drones, and he said there is not a target that would be out of reach.
“For the first time since 1948, a security belt has been formed in northern Israel, which has understood since October 8 that its positions will be targeted, and we have enough information about their fortifications, devices, and personnel,” he said.
TRENDPOST: Israel has not achieved its military objectives in Gaza and against Hamas, which is not even close to the lethality of Hezbollah.