Hamas issued a rare public appeal to its longtime benefactor on Saturday, calling on the Islamic Republic of Iran to refrain from targeting neighbouring countries while simultaneously defending Tehran’s right to retaliate against U.S. and Israeli military strikes.
The statement follows a significant escalation in the Middle East conflict, which began on February 28. In recent weeks, Iranian missile and drone strikes have reportedly hit targets in at least 10 countries, including Qatar and Turkey—two nations that, alongside Iran, serve as primary diplomatic and financial sponsors for Hamas.
"While affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on the brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries," Hamas said in an official statement released March 14.
The Palestinian group, which has received military and financial backing from Tehran for decades, also urged the international community to "work towards halting" the ongoing war immediately. The conflict has already seen the death of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on its opening day, an event Hamas previously condemned as a "heinous crime."
A Hamas official, speaking to AFP on the condition of anonymity, stated that the movement’s leadership is in active contact with Iranian officials to resolve the issue. The official accused Israel of seeking to "sow discord between Iran and its Arab and Islamic neighbors" and confirmed that Hamas has reached out to authorities in Qatar, Turkey, and Iraq to facilitate a ceasefire.
The appeal comes as regional tensions reach a breaking point. Qatar reported intercepting two missiles over Doha on Saturday, while smoke was seen billowing from the Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates following earlier Iranian attacks.