Hamas has publicly asked Iran to refrain from striking neighbouring Gulf states while affirming Tehran’s right to respond to perceived aggression by Israel and the United States. The movement urged regional cooperation to stop the wider conflict and to preserve ties among neighbouring countries. The appeal comes amid reports of Iranian missile and drone strikes in the Gulf and amid extensive devastation in Gaza since October 2023. Gulf states have pledged over $4 billion to a US-backed Board of Peace, but a ceasefire since October 2025 has not fully halted reported violations.
Hamas Urges Iran To Halt Strikes On Gulf States While Backing Tehran’s Right To Respond
A plume of smoke rises over buildings in Doha, Qatar on March 5, 2026. [Mahmud Hams/AFP]
Hamas has urged its ally Iran not to target neighbouring Gulf states while reiterating Tehran’s right to defend itself against Israel and the United States, the movement said in a written statement.
Call For Restraint And Regional Cooperation
In its statement on Saturday, Hamas appealed to its "brothers in Iran" to avoid striking other countries and called on regional actors to cooperate to halt the wider conflict and "preserve the bonds of fraternity among them." While the movement affirmed Iran’s right to respond "by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws," it urged attacks to avoid drawing neighbouring states into broader confrontation.
Context: Gaza And Rising Regional Tensions
Hamas placed the plea in the wider context of the long-running Israel-Palestine conflict. The group says it fought back after Israel’s October 7, 2023 attack and accuses Israel of carrying out a devastating campaign in Gaza. Hamas and other sources report heavy destruction in the territory and cite a death toll of more than 72,000.
Separately, several Gulf states have reported Iranian missile and drone strikes since February 28, according to regional reports. Iran has long provided financial and military backing to Hamas and is aligned with groups such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah and Yemen’s Houthis — often described as the "axis of resistance."
Diplomacy And Financial Support
Last month, Gulf states pledged more than $4 billion in combined funding to a US-backed Board of Peace. Announcements at the board’s first meeting in Washington included $1 billion each from Qatar and Saudi Arabia, $1 billion pledged by Kuwait over coming years, and an additional $1.2 billion from the United Arab Emirates earmarked to support Gaza through the board.
Qatar has continued to play a leading mediation role alongside the United States and Egypt. A US-backed ceasefire has been reported in place in Gaza since October 2025, intended to halt a two-year campaign. However, Hamas and other observers say violations, including shelling and gunfire, have continued and have resulted in further Palestinian casualties.
Hamas Statement: "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."
Reporting is based on the Hamas statement and regional reports cited by the parties involved.
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