TEHRAN — Iranian officials held meetings with representatives from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis during the multi-day funeral of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran on July 4–5, 2026. The gatherings reaffirmed commitments among members of what Iranian state media described as the 'Axis of Resistance.'

On July 4, Muhammad Fneish, a US-sanctioned Lebanese Shi’a politician and Hezbollah member, met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Tehran. The following day, Fneish met with Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf. According to an Iranian Foreign Ministry press release, the discussion between Araghchi and Fneish included comments on Hezbollah’s actions against Israel, expressions of gratitude from Hezbollah for Lebanon’s inclusion in a memorandum of understanding, and an exchange of condolences over assassinated leadership. The press release also stated that Hezbollah pledged to continue its 'Islamic and revolutionary duty' within the 'resistant front.'

Sheikh Ali Al-Khatib, vice president of Lebanon’s Supreme Islamic Shia Council, also met with Foreign Minister Araghchi during the funeral period. The Iranian Foreign Ministry reported that Araghchi emphasized Iran’s commitment to ending what it described as the 'Zionist regime’s aggression and occupation against Lebanon' during that meeting.

Photos published by the Iranian Foreign Ministry showed Muhammad Ismail Darwish, the Qatar-based chairman of Hamas’s General Shura Council, attending a meeting with Iranian officials. Darwish later told CNN’s Arabic service that Iran would not make peace with the United States and would not recognize Israel. He also claimed that Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf had reiterated support for the 'resistance front' and described Iran’s successes in its war with the United States as 'the victory of the entire Resistance Front and Muslims.'

Parliament Speaker Ghalibaf additionally met with Mohammed Al-Nuaimi, a member of the Houthi leadership. Al-Nuaimi stated that the Houthis would remain in the 'same trench' for the sake of the Islamic Ummah, or global Muslim community. In a separate comment, he said, 'What happened in Iran during the recent war has become a school of thought for the entire Resistance Front.'

Throughout the week, the Iranian Foreign Ministry and state media released photographs and statements underscoring Tehran’s ongoing commitment to the 'Axis of Resistance.' These communications coincided with the funeral observances for Khamenei and highlighted solidarity among Iran-aligned groups in the region.

Why It Matters

The meetings during Khamenei’s funeral demonstrate the continuity of Iran’s regional alliances despite leadership transitions. The inclusion of senior figures from Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis reflects Tehran’s strategic emphasis on maintaining a coordinated network of proxy and allied forces across the Middle East.

All information about the meetings comes from Iranian state media and official press releases, which present a uniformly supportive portrayal of the interactions. No independent verification or critical analysis of the claims has been provided by external sources.