Hamas urges Iran to halt attacks on Gulf states

The Palestinian group Hamas has urged Iran to stop attacks on Gulf countries, making a rare appeal to its key regional ally as the conflict involving the United States, Israel and Iran expands across the Middle East.

In a statement, Hamas called on its “brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries” and urged regional governments to cooperate “to preserve the bonds of brotherhood.” The group said it was following the war in the region “with deep concern” and called for international efforts to halt the conflict.

At the same time, Hamas said Iran retains the right to defend itself against strikes carried out by the United States and Israel, which have continued targeting Iranian sites since the start of the war. Iranian officials have said their retaliatory missile and drone strikes are aimed at U.S. installations in Gulf states, though several attacks have hit civilian infrastructure.

Regional authorities report that at least 18 people have been killed across Gulf countries since the attacks began, including deaths in the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. Iran has long been Hamas’s main backer, providing funding, weapons and political support.