MARKET INSIDER – The Palestinian militant group Hamas has called on Iran to avoid attacking neighboring states, even as it reaffirmed Tehran’s right to defend itself against military actions by Israel and the United States.
In a statement on March 14, Hamas urged Iran to respond to the conflict “within international norms and laws” but warned against targeting regional countries, while also calling on the international community to work toward ending the war that began on Feb. 28.
The appeal is notable because Iran has long been a key supporter of Hamas. The group previously condemned the killing of Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei, describing it as a “heinous crime” and acknowledging his political and military backing for Palestinian resistance groups.
Meanwhile, Hezbollah, an Iranian-aligned group in Lebanon, has fired hundreds of rockets at Israel since joining the conflict. Israeli strikes targeting Hezbollah positions have reportedly killed nearly 800 people in Lebanon since early March.
Iran has retaliated against the U.S.-Israeli campaign with missile and drone strikes across the region, targeting locations connected to U.S. forces or allied states, including Qatar, where authorities said two missiles were intercepted near the capital Doha.
Despite its close relationship with Tehran, analysts say Hamas’s statement likely reflects pressure from Arab Gulf states and an attempt to avoid further regional escalation. Hamas leaders have reportedly contacted governments including Türkiye, Iraq, and Qatar to push for diplomatic efforts aimed at ending the conflict.
While the statement signals concern about widening attacks across the region, analysts say it does not represent a strategic break between Hamas and Iran, which remains one of the group’s most important political and financial backers.
