The Palestinian Iran-aligned militant group Hamas has called on Iran not to target neighbouring countries, while still reaffirming Tehran’s right to respond to the US-Israeli attacks. This is the first time the group has publicly commented on Iranian policies.
It has expressed solidarity with Iran during the war, but appeared to steer clear of threatening any retaliatory actions so far. “While the group affirms Iran’s right to respond to this aggression by all available means in accordance with international norms and laws, it calls upon our brothers in Iran not to target neighbouring countries,” it said.
US-Iran Conflict
US President Donald Trump threatened further strikes on Iran’s Kharg Island oil export hub and urged allies to deploy warships to secure the Strait of Hormuz, an artery for global energy supplies, as Tehran vowed to intensify its response. With the US-Iran war in its third week, Trump said US strikes had “totally demolished” much of the island and warned of more, telling NBC News on Saturday: “We may hit it a few more times just for fun.”
According to the United States Department of State, the conflict has resulted in significant damage to Iran’s oil infrastructure. The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation.
Regional Implications
The conflict has also had implications for the region, with Israel and Hamas agreeing on a ceasefire in Gaza that went into effect in October, but there have been regular outbreaks of violence since then. Missile attacks launched from Iran have struck multiple areas across Israel, causing fires and damage in several cities as tensions in the Middle East continue to escalate.
Here are some key points to consider:
- The US-Iran conflict has resulted in significant damage to Iran’s oil infrastructure.
- The conflict has had implications for the region, with Israel and Hamas agreeing on a ceasefire in Gaza.
- The United Nations has called for an immediate ceasefire to prevent further escalation.
