Hamas Calls on Iran to Halt Attacks on Neighboring Countries

Hamas has urged Iran in a statement released Saturday to cease its attacks on nations in the Persian Gulf region.

This call comes after Iran launched a widespread attack, firing numerous ballistic missiles and drones at locations in Israel, Qatar, Bahrain, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Saudi Arabia in retaliation for the U.S. military’s Operation Epic Fury. Following this aggressive action, militant groups aligned with Iran conveyed “deep concern” regarding the ongoing conflict, marking their first criticism of the Iranian government.

“The Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas watches the unfolding war in the region with deep concern,” the group stated. They condemned what they described as American Zionist aggression against Iran, asserting that such actions breach international law and jeopardize regional and global stability. They stressed that halting this conflict aligns with the interests of the Islamic State and the broader region, calling on nations and international organizations to intervene and stop the war.

The statement also expressed gratitude towards efforts by various countries to avoid further hostilities and emphasized the importance of dialogue and diplomacy. It reaffirmed Iran’s right to respond to aggression while requesting that it refrain from targeting nearby countries. Hamas urged all regional countries to collaborate in stopping these aggressions and fostering good relations.

Operation Epic Fury was initiated by President Donald Trump, who announced the military action on February 28 amid fears that Iran might retaliate against U.S. bases as diplomatic discussions regarding its nuclear program stagnated.

In a report dated March 2, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, noted that an Iranian diplomat expressed intentions to persist with uranium enrichment, claiming they had amassed enough material for various types of weaponry.