The Palestinian group Hamas has issued a rare public appeal to Iran, urging the Tehran-backed ally to halt attacks on Gulf states as tensions across the region escalate.
In a statement, Hamas called on its “brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries,” stressing that all nations in the region should cooperate “to preserve the bonds of brotherhood.” While Hamas affirmed Iran’s right to defend itself against ongoing US and Israeli strikes, it voiced deep concern over the spillover of conflict into neighboring states.
Hamas also urged international bodies and governments to act to stop the fighting immediately. The group’s statement on Saturday came amid rising casualties across the Gulf, which have included at least 18 deaths over the past two weeks. The fatalities comprise mostly security personnel and foreign workers, with six killed each in the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait, and two each in Oman, Saudi Arabia, and Bahrain.
Iran has insisted that its retaliatory strikes are aimed at “American installations” in the Gulf, but many attacks have struck civilian infrastructure, increasing tensions with its neighbors. The Iranian government has not publicly responded to Hamas’s statement.
Hamas’s appeal marks an unusual moment of caution from one of Iran’s closest regional allies. Iran remains Hamas’s largest supporter in terms of funding, weapons, and political backing. The Palestinian group has historically aligned with Iran’s “axis of resistance,” a coalition opposing US and Israeli influence in the Middle East. Hamas previously condemned as a “heinous crime” the joint US-Israeli strikes that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei at the start of the ongoing conflict on February 28.
Turkey and Qatar, which have also faced Iranian attacks in recent weeks, provide additional financial and political support to Hamas. The group has been a central actor in Gaza, fighting a protracted war against Israel that lasted more than two years. A US-brokered ceasefire took effect in October, but both Israel and Hamas have accused each other of frequent violations, prolonging tensions in the region.
Since the ceasefire, the Hamas-run health ministry reported that 649 people have died in Gaza. The ongoing Iran-Gulf conflict has added a new layer of complexity for Hamas, which now must balance its traditional alliance with Tehran against the immediate security of neighboring states.
Hamas’s statement highlights the widening impact of Iran’s regional operations and the delicate position of its allies, who are attempting to navigate support for Tehran while mitigating harm to civilians in the Gulf. The appeal underscores growing concerns about the humanitarian and political consequences of continued drone and missile attacks.
If the conflict continues, regional actors and international organisations may face increased pressure to mediate, prevent further civilian casualties, and stabilize Gulf security amid the ongoing Iran war.
