
The Palestinian group Hamas has called on its ally Iran to stop attacks on Gulf states, while affirming Tehran's right to defend itself against Israel and the United States in the war they launched.
On Saturday, Hamas called on its "brothers in Iran" not to target neighboring countries and urged the region to end the ongoing conflict that has engulfed much of the Middle East.
The group responded to Israel's genocidal war on Gaza after its attack on October 7, 2023, as Israel destroyed the besieged and bombed enclave, killing more than 72,000 people. Meanwhile, Gulf countries, particularly Qatar, intervened through mediation, diplomacy, and aid.
Since the start of the war against Iran by the US and Israel on February 28, several Gulf states in the region have reported missile and drone attacks from Iran.
“Affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression with all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, the movement calls on its brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighboring countries,” Hamas said in a statement.
He added that countries in the region must “cooperate to stop this aggression and preserve the bonds of brotherhood between them.” Iran has supported Hamas financially and militarily for decades, while the group is part of the now greatly weakened so-called “axis of resistance” that also includes Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis.
Last month, Gulf countries pledged more than $4 billion in joint financial support for US President Donald Trump's Peace Council, signaling financial support for efforts aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The pledges were announced during the first meeting of the Peace Board in Washington, where Qatar and Saudi Arabia each pledged $1 billion.
Kuwait also pledged $1 billion for the coming years, while the United Arab Emirates announced an additional $1.2 billion in support for Gaza through this board.
Qatar, throughout the genocidal war in Gaza, has also played a key role as a mediator, along with the US and Egypt.
A US-backed "ceasefire" agreement has been in place in Gaza since October 2025, which was intended to halt Israel's two-year offensive that has killed more than 72,000 people and injured more than 171,000 since October 2023.