Iran backs Hamas, complicating Trump's disarmament deal

Pezeşkiyan calls new Hamas leader, affirms support for Palestine

Iranian President Pezeshkian called the new Hamas political leader Khalil al-Hayya to congratulate him and express Tehran's support. The call highlighted the obstacles facing the deal announced by U.S. President Trump to disarm Hamas.

Scraper SystemAugust 04, 2026, 12:14 AM

Pezeşkiyan calls new Hamas leader, affirms support for Palestine

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian called Hamas's new political bureau chief Khalil al-Hayya to wish him success in his new role. According to a written statement by Hamas, Pezeshkian said, 'We stand with you and support every step you take despite the attacks we face.'

The call of support came shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump announced a deal that envisions the full disarmament of Hamas. The Trump administration is pursuing a roadmap through a Peace Council to remove Hamas from power in Gaza and secure the surrender of heavy weapons.

Trump recently announced that a 'historic agreement' had been signed for the full disarmament of Hamas and other armed groups. The Peace Council, consisting of U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, special envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, will oversee the reconstruction of Gaza.

However, the council also caused tensions on the Israeli side. The council's Gaza High Representative Nickolay Mladenov and adviser Aryeh Lightstone met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to demand a halt to the attacks. Israel rejected the request, stating, 'We will not withdraw from the current line and will continue to prevent threats to our civilians and soldiers.'

Hamas, on the other hand, says it favors a conditional process on disarmament. The group states it could accept storing weapons if Israel stops its attacks, withdraws its forces, and allows more aid into Gaza. However, Hamas avoids using the word 'disarmament' in its statements and emphasizes that the weapons will remain under Palestinian control.

Michael Milstein, head of the Palestinian Studies Center at Tel Aviv University, said the full disarmament of Hamas is highly unlikely. Milstein assessed that Hamas might agree to hand over day-to-day governance to a government but aims to maintain its military structure, achieving a status similar to the Hezbollah model in Lebanon.

As international pressure continues, Palestinian lawyer Mumin al-Natour, a founder of the anti-Hamas 'We Want to Live' movement, said civilians want the agreement to succeed but do not trust Hamas to relinquish power. Al-Natour, who was previously imprisoned by Hamas, argued the group would continue to delay and violate the process to remain in Gaza.

Within the Israeli government, there is also resistance to the deal. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlement Minister Orit Strock called on Netanyahu to convene an emergency security cabinet to block the entry of an international stabilization force into Gaza. The ministers argued the roadmap is 'dangerous' for Israel and does not guarantee the full disarmament of Hamas.

While the deal announced by Trump is seen as a critical step for Gaza's reconstruction, the question of whether Hamas will give up its weapons remains unanswered. Iran's support and internal opposition highlight the fragility of the process.

Pezeşkiyan calls new Hamas leader, affirms support for Palestine