Tehran Backs New Hamas Chief Even as Washington Pushes Disarmament Plan

Iran's president reached out to Hamas' newly chosen

Iran's president reached out to Hamas' newly chosen leader over the weekend to voice continued backing for the Palestinian militant group, even as the White House touts a proposal to strip it of its armed wing. The call, described in a Hamas statement on Monday, underscores the diplomatic tightrope facing U.S. efforts to end the conflict in Gaza.

According to the statement, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian congratulated Khalil al-Hayya on his appointment as head of Hamas' political bureau and offered Tehran's ongoing support for the group's cause. Pezeshkian was quoted as saying, "We are with you, and we support you in every action you take, despite the attacks we are facing." Fox News Digital has requested confirmation from Iran's mission to the United Nations but has not yet received a response.

The reported phone call highlights a potential contradiction at the heart of the Trump administration's Gaza initiative. While Washington presents its roadmap as a breakthrough that would see Hamas disarm and cede control, Iran, a longtime patron of the group, appears to be reinforcing its commitment to the very organization the plan seeks to neutralize. This dynamic raises questions about whether Hamas would genuinely relinquish its arsenal, which remains the primary obstacle to rebuilding the enclave.

President Donald Trump has hailed the agreement as

President Donald Trump has hailed the agreement as a historic step toward the complete disarmament of Hamas and other armed factions, following nearly three years of conflict. The plan, however, hinges on enforcement mechanisms that are still unclear. The so-called Board of Peace, chaired by Trump and including senior officials like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy Steve Witkoff, is tasked with overseeing Gaza's transition and mobilizing reconstruction funds. But the roadmap leaves unanswered who will verify compliance and what happens if either side fails to meet its obligations.

Tensions escalated further on Monday when Board of Peace officials met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to urge a halt to Israeli strikes in Gaza. Israel quickly rebuffed the request, with an official stating that forces would not withdraw from their current positions and would continue to protect civilians and soldiers. This stance appears to clash with the board's demand that Israel pull back to the so-called yellow line and stop targeted attacks, at least for now.

Meanwhile, Hamas has indicated it would only agree to a phased and conditional process, storing weapons after Israel ceases hostilities, withdraws troops, and allows more aid into Gaza. The group has carefully avoided using the term "disarmament" and insists that any weapons would remain under Palestinian control, not handed over to Israel or an international force. This position has fueled skepticism among observers, including Palestinians who oppose Hamas rule.

Moumen al-Natour, a Palestinian lawyer from Gaza and

Moumen al-Natour, a Palestinian lawyer from Gaza and co-founder of the anti-Hamas "We Want to Live" movement, expressed cautious hope but deep mistrust. "Civilian people inside Gaza Strip want safety, want to stop this war, want a new government, want to be alive," he told Fox News Digital. Al-Natour, who was imprisoned by Hamas, warned that the group would likely use delays and violations to maintain its grip on power, and questioned whether a small international force could effectively secure the area.

Israeli analysts share similar doubts. Michael Milstein, a former military intelligence officer and now head of the Palestinian Studies Centre at Tel Aviv University, said Hamas might accept limitations on heavy weapons and a reduced role in governance but is unlikely to fully abandon its armed structure. He drew parallels to Hezbollah's position in Lebanon, suggesting Hamas could preserve its personnel and influence while allowing a technocratic body to manage daily affairs. "There is a very, very low chance that Hamas will completely disarm," Milstein said, describing the plan as another "gray area" the group could exploit.

Adding to the challenges, far-right members of Netanyahu's coalition have urged the prime minister to block the implementation of the U.S.-backed roadmap, arguing it is dangerous and fails to ensure Israel's security. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich and Settlements Minister Orit Strock called for an urgent security Cabinet meeting to prevent the deployment of an international stabilization force and to demand that disarmament occur before any Israeli withdrawal. Their opposition underscores that the plan faces resistance not only from Hamas but also from within Israel's own government, leaving the future of the initiative uncertain as both sides dig in.