Hamas sits out Iran war as Gaza, Gulf interests take priority
Hamas has so far stayed out of the escalating Iran war, despite its longstanding alliance with Tehran, reflecting a cautious strategic calculation.
The Israeli and US airstrikes launched against Iran on Feb. 28 quickly pushed the Middle East to the brink of a wider war. Within hours, Tehran responded by firing missiles and drones at targets in multiple countries around the Gulf and at Israel, sending shockwaves across an already tense region. Already war-torn Gaza has largely been absent from the equation in this most recent round of fighting.
Despite rushing to condemn what it described as Israeli “brutality and savagery” and “American support” for it, Hamas has so far chosen not to join the conflict, other than announcing its backing of the Islamic Republic. The situation in Gaza and internal factors have shaped Hamas’ calculus and informed its decisions on the war still raging in the Gulf.
Hamas reiterated this position on Saturday, issuing a strongly worded statement calling on Iran to stop targeting neighboring countries.
“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 neighboring countries,” Hamas said in a statement.
