Hamas calls on Iran not to target neighboring countries but affirms its right to self-defence

Hamas, the Palestinian militant group aligned with Iran, has urged Iran not to strike neighboring countries while affirming its right to defend itself against U.S. and Israeli attacks. This statement marks the first time Hamas has publicly addressed Iran's policies. The group showed support for Iran during the ongoing conflict but has avoided making threats of retaliation so far. "While we recognize Iran's right to respond to this aggression by any means allowed under international laws, we ask our brothers in Iran to refrain from targeting neighboring nations," the statement read. Hamas also called for all regional countries and international organizations to work towards an immediate end to the war. A ceasefire in Gaza, agreed upon by Israel and Hamas, began in October, yet violence has continued intermittently. Although Israeli strikes on Gaza decreased early in the war with Iran, they have started to increase again. On March 2, Hezbollah, another Iran-aligned group from Lebanon, attacked Israel in retaliation for the killing of Iran's supreme leader at the war's start. In response, Israel has heavily bombarded Lebanon and targeted Hezbollah. Additionally, Yemen's Houthis, who are aligned with Iran and launched military actions against vessels they believed were linked to Israel in the Red Sea during the Gaza conflict, have shown strong support for Tehran but have not threatened to renew attacks.