His victory has lifted hopes of a thaw in Iran's antagonistic relations with the West that might create openings for defusing its nuclear standoff with world powers.
Hossein Shariatmadari also accused council members of holding secret meetings with Iran’s “known enemies” in the US, where they “received instructions to incite unrest in Iran.”
Nasser Kanaani said he strongly warned against "any new Zionist adventure against Lebanon under the pretext of the Majdal Shams incident in the Golan."
Despite electing reformist Masoud Pezeshkian as president, Iran's stance on Israel remains hostile, continuing support for anti-Israel groups and upholding its aggressive policies.
Iran sought after October 7 to begin a multi-front war in the region against Israel.
“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.
World allies shouldn't be fooled by the elections in Iran. Now is the time to back up Israel and ensure Tehran doesn't achieve nuclear capabilities.
At this juncture, playing into the regime’s game could only enable Iran to breakout with an actual bomb, an outcome no Western country should desire.
Behind the scenes, the US should convey its willingness to work with the new president, assuring him that any measure of moderation he takes will be fully and correspondingly reciprocated.
Pezeshkian, a relative moderate who beat a hardline rival in elections, also reiterated that Iran does not seek nuclear weapons.