Iran's Pezeshkian tells Hamas chief that Iran will support any decision made in Gaza - report

What Happened

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on Wednesday that Tehran will support any decision made by Palestinian leadership regarding ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, according to Iranian state media. This pledge was conveyed during a phone call with Khalil al-Hayya, the head of the Hamas political bureau. Separately, Axios reported on Friday that officials from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) urged Hamas representatives not to sign a disarmament agreement during a visit to Iran for the funeral of former supreme leader Ali Khamenei. A senior US official claimed that while Iran attempted to dissuade Hamas from signing the deal, the group proceeded with the agreement despite this pressure.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The conflicting signals between the Iranian presidency's public diplomatic stance and the reported behind-the-scenes pressure from the IRGC highlight the internal complexity of Iran's foreign policy and its influence over regional proxies. The reported attempt by the IRGC to block a disarmament agreement underscores the ongoing friction between Iranian security apparatuses and international efforts to stabilize the Gaza conflict.

Watch For

Monitor the implementation of the disarmament agreement in the coming weeks and any further statements from the White House regarding the progress of the deal. Additionally, observe whether Hamas adheres to the agreement despite the reported opposition from the IRGC.