Hamas and Islamic Jihad congratulate Mojtaba Khamenei — wish him 'defeat of Israeli-American aggression'

Hamas congratulated 'brothers in Iran' on the appointment of Mojtaba Khamenei as the Islamic Republic's new supreme leader. Hamas spokesperson Hazem Qassem wished Mojtaba 'success in fulfilling the aspirations of the Iranian people to defeat the Israeli-American aggression and prevent the forces of arrogance from imposing their will on Iran.' In a separate statement, Palestinian Islamic Jihad also welcomed the selection of Khamenei as supreme leader, saying 'all the free peoples of the world stand with you.' The statements from Hamas and Islamic Jihad reaffirm the Iran-led 'axis of resistance' network — Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, Houthis, and Iraqi PMF factions — as aligned behind the new Iranian leadership despite the catastrophic damage inflicted on Iran's military. For Hamas, the congratulatory messaging serves to reaffirm Iranian patronage and signal continued solidarity even as Iran's military capacity to support Hamas is severely degraded.