Iran’s President Backs Palestinian Leaders as Hamas-Israel Indirect Talks Continue
TEHRAN, Aug. 5, 2026 — Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that Tehran would support any decision made by Palestinian leaders during ongoing indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel, signaling Iran’s continued political backing as diplomatic efforts seek to advance a possible agreement.
According to Iranian state media, Pezeshkian made the remarks during a phone conversation with Khalil al-Hayya, the head of Hamas’ political bureau. The Iranian president reaffirmed Tehran’s support for the Palestinian leadership and said Iran would stand behind whatever course of action Palestinian representatives ultimately choose in the negotiations.
The comments come at a critical stage in indirect talks between Hamas and Israel, which have involved regional mediators seeking to secure a broader agreement aimed at reducing tensions and addressing long-standing security concerns.
While Iran has consistently voiced support for Palestinian groups, Pezeshkian’s latest statement suggests Tehran is publicly aligning itself with decisions reached by Palestinian leaders rather than outlining specific demands regarding the negotiations.
Reports of IRGC Pressure on Hamas
The diplomatic developments follow reports that officials from Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) attempted to persuade Hamas representatives not to accept a proposed disarmament agreement linked to the ongoing negotiations.
According to an Axios report published on Friday, IRGC officials met with members of a Hamas delegation during a recent visit to Iran, where the representatives attended the funeral of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
The report said Iranian officials encouraged Hamas not to sign what has been referred to as the Board of Peace (BoP) disarmament agreement, arguing against accepting the proposed arrangement during the current phase of negotiations.
Axios also cited a senior U.S. official who claimed that Iran sought to convince Hamas to reject the agreement. However, according to the same official, Hamas ultimately decided not to follow Tehran’s recommendation and instead continued participating in the diplomatic process.
Neither Iranian authorities nor Hamas publicly confirmed the details of the reported discussions with the IRGC.
U.S. Officials Describe Delicate Negotiations
Senior White House Board of Peace officials acknowledged that negotiations have been lengthy and complicated but indicated that recent progress has created momentum toward implementing a broader agreement.
“Hamas had a lot of concerns,” officials told The Jerusalem Post. “It took months of delicate negotiations to bring us to this breakthrough, and we will move in the coming weeks to advance its implementation.”
The officials did not provide additional details regarding the specific provisions of the proposed agreement but emphasized that discussions have required extensive coordination among multiple parties.
Diplomatic efforts involving Hamas and Israel have largely taken place through indirect channels, with regional mediators facilitating communication between the two sides.
Regional Stakes Remain High
Iran has long been a key supporter of Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups, providing political backing while opposing Israeli policies in the region. At the same time, Tehran has repeatedly insisted that any future political settlement should reflect the wishes of the Palestinian people.
The latest remarks from Pezeshkian appear intended to reinforce that position, emphasizing support for decisions made by Palestinian leaders while avoiding direct public criticism of the current negotiations.
The reported disagreement between the IRGC and Hamas, if accurate, could highlight differing views over the pace and direction of the diplomatic process. However, neither side has publicly commented on the claims.
As indirect talks continue, regional and international observers will be closely watching whether negotiators can convert recent diplomatic progress into a formal agreement. Any breakthrough could have significant implications for regional stability, humanitarian conditions, and the broader security landscape in the Middle East.
For now, Iran continues to publicly support Palestinian leadership while negotiations move forward, even as reports suggest differing perspectives behind the scenes over the terms of a possible agreement. EU Launches €10 Billion AI Gigafactory Initiative to Boost Artificial Intelligence Ambitions | Maya
