PRESIDENT-elect Masoud Pezeshkian, who was perceived as a pro-Western leader, reaffirmed Iran’s anti-Israel stance, signaling that there will be no change in Iran’s regional policies under the incoming government.
Pezeshkian, who promised to forge better ties with the West, slammed Israel – a close ally of the United States.
The President-elect said the Islamic Republic has always supported resistance groups in the region and will not allow Israel’s action towards the Palestinians to continue.
Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah congratulated Pezeshkian for his election victory following a second round of voting held on the 5th of July.
Iran has been at odds with Israel and the United States since it was founded in 1979 and sees both nations as its archenemies.
Meanwhile, U.S. State Department spokesman Matthew Miller said Washington is not expecting policy changes from Iran after Pezeshkian’s election victory but will welcome talks on limiting Iran’s nuclear program and terrorism funding.
“So we have no expectations that this election…we don’t have expectations that that’s what likely to ensue,” Matthew Miller Spokesman, U.S. Department of State said.
The reformist lawmaker pledged to open dialogue with the West if he wins the election.
However, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Washington is not yet ready to resume nuclear talks with Iran.
As Washington’s future under the new government remains unclear, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanaani said ties with China will be strengthened under the new government but channels for diplomatic negotiations with other countries, including the United States will remain open.
“China is one of the most important and influential countries. Iran’s relations with China will naturally continue. Iran’s relations with friendly countries are based on Iran’s general and established policies, and these relations will be strengthened and consolidated by focusing on common interests. We hope to see Iran’s relations with friendly countries such as China further strengthened,” according to Nasser Kanaani Spokesman, Iranian Foreign Ministry.
Pezeshkian’s blistering statement towards the Jewish state came a few days after Israel’s Foreign Ministry commented that the President-elect’s victory is a defeat for Iran and urged the international community to designate IRGC as a terrorist organization.
