Hamas Calls on Iran to Stop Attacking Gulf States

Hamas has called on Iran, its ally, to exercise restraint from targeting neighbouring countries as the war between Tehran and the United States and Israel continues. Hamas also affirmed Iran’s right to defend itself against attacks from Washington and Tel Aviv.

The appeal, reported by AFP on Saturday (14 March 2026), was issued by Hamas—which has been engaged in conflict with Israel in Gaza since October 2023—in a statement released on Saturday (14 March) local time.

“Whilst affirming the right of the Islamic Republic of Iran to respond to this aggression in all available ways in accordance with international norms and law, the group calls upon its brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries,” Hamas stated.

In its statement, Hamas also called on the international community to “make efforts to stop” the ongoing war immediately.

Hamas’s appeal came after the Iran-backed group previously condemned the killing of Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran’s supreme leader, in an early US-Israeli strike on 28 February.

Hamas denounced Khamenei’s killing as a “heinous crime” and openly acknowledged the late Khamenei’s longstanding support for the Gaza militant group.

“He provided all forms of political, diplomatic, and military support to our people, our struggle, and our resistance,” Hamas stated in a previous statement released after Iranian authorities confirmed Khamenei’s death.

Iran launched a series of missile and drone attacks against neighbouring countries hosting US military assets, including Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia.

The attacks are described as Iran’s retaliation for bombing operations conducted by the United States and its ally Israel.

Tehran’s attacks caused damage and casualties in several Gulf states.