Tehran University Professor Foad Izadi discussed Zohran Mamdani’s victory in the New York mayoral race in a November 6, 2025 interview with Khatenergy.ir (Iran). He said that the message of the 1979 takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran was that it is possible to confront the United States by means of the youth, and that this has now become reality with Mamdani’s election. Izadi added that Iran’s role “should not be underestimated,” since without the “two-year genocide” in Gaza, Mamdani would not have become mayor. He praised Mamdani as “freedom-loving” and described a meeting with Mamdani’s father, Professor Mahmood Mamdani, in New York, where Mahmood recalled being chastised for failing to revere Ayatollah Khomeini enough. Izadi said Mamdani’s election is especially significant because a pro-Palestine figure was elected mayor of “the most Zionist city” in the U.S., calling it “a vote of defiance” against New York’s Zionists. Izadi himself studied in the United States, graduating from the University of Houston and Louisiana State University.

Foad Izadi: “The message of the [takeover of the U.S. embassy in Tehran] on November 4 was clear: You can confront that arrogant, racist, and oppressive power, that also supports the Zionist regime in Palestine, by means of the youth.

“This vision has turned into reality, 40 plus years later, in New York, and we should not underestimate the role played by Iran’s Islamic Republic in this, because without Iran, the Palestinian cause would have ended years ago.

“In my opinion, if not for this two-year genocide in Gaza, Mamdani would never have become the mayor.

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“Electing someone who raised the flag of Palestine and stands for justice as NY mayor is a major setback for the capitalist system.

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“I met Mr. Mamdani’s father at a conference in New York about 20 years ago. I was familiar with his books and knew that he was a Twelver Shiite. He understood from my clothes that I was a religious Iranian, and started talking.

“He told me that he had a sister who would often criticize him. That sister would be Zohran’s aunt, of course. He said: ‘My sister says that there are two things wrong with me. One that I don’t pray properly’ – apparently he does not – ‘and two, that I do not revere Ayatollah Khomeini enough.’ The aunt, it seems, is a very devout supporter [of the Iranian regime].

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“We should regard Mr. Mamdani as a freedom-loving person. The Leader advised college students to establish ties with freedom-loving individuals around the world.

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“What happened in New York is very significant. An openly pro-Palestine man has been elected mayor of America’s most Zionist city.”

Interviewer: “By popular vote.”

Izadi: “Right, by popular vote. This is a vote of defiance against the Zionists of the city. This is no small feat.”