Iran, which backs the groups which describe themselves as the “Axis of Resistance” to Israel and U.S. influence in the Middle East, has accused the United States of supporting what it calls Israeli crimes in Gaza.
“Those who supply weapons that kill children cannot teach Muslims about humanity,” Pezeshkian said to chants of “Death to America,” and “Death to Israel”.
Leaders of Iran’s Palestinian allies Hamas and the Islamic Jihad as well as senior representatives of Yemen’s Tehran-backed Houthi movement and Lebanon’s Hezbollah attended the ceremony.
Pezeshkian, who is expected to name his cabinet within two weeks, replaces hardliner Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed in a helicopter crash in May.
As the ultimate authority in Iran, Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has the final say in all state matters, including foreign and nuclear policy.
He must also approve Pezeshkian’s selections for key cabinet posts, such as the foreign, oil and intelligence ministers.