Sat Oct 05 07:08:38 UTC 2024: ## Iranian President Pezeshkian’s Anti-Israel Stance Raises Concerns in Israel
**Tel Aviv, Israel** – Despite the recent change in leadership in Iran with Masoud Pezeshkian’s election as president, there is little optimism in Israel about a shift in Iran’s stance towards the country. Israeli experts believe that Pezeshkian’s influence will be limited, with the Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, maintaining ultimate control over policy.
Pezeshkian’s campaign focused primarily on domestic issues, but after securing victory, he has adopted a strong anti-Israel stance, expressing support for Hezbollah and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. The invitation of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to his inauguration ceremony in Iran’s parliament was seen as a symbolic gesture of his hostility towards Israel.
While Pezeshkian has pledged to improve Iran’s economy, his anti-Israel stance and dependence on Khamenei’s support for his position raise doubts about his ability to deliver on this promise. His approach is likely to further complicate efforts to revive the nuclear deal with the US and deter foreign investment, which Iran desperately needs to address its economic challenges.
Israeli experts believe that Pezeshkian’s anti-Israel stance is driven by the need to secure Khamenei’s support, as he acknowledges the supreme leader’s influence on his election victory. Past experience with Iranian presidents, such as Mohammad Khatami and Hassan Rouhani, has shown that even those seeking to reduce tensions with Israel have been thwarted by Khamenei’s staunch opposition.
The overall consensus in Israel is that Pezeshkian will likely remain subservient to the supreme leader and continue Iran’s aggressive policies towards Israel, making any significant changes to Iran’s domestic or foreign policies highly unlikely. The war in Gaza, the ongoing hostage crisis, and the recent escalation of tensions with Hezbollah have further heightened Israel’s concerns about Iran’s intentions.
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