Hamas urges key ally Iran to halt attacks on Gulf states

The Palestinian armed group Hamas has called on Iran to stop its attacks on Gulf states, in a rare appeal to its key ally.

In a statement, the Tehran-backed group urged its "brothers in Iran to avoid targeting neighbouring countries", saying all regional nations should co-operate "to preserve the bonds of brotherhood".

At the same time, Hamas, which runs Gaza, affirmed Tehran's right to defend itself against attacks by the US and Israel, which are continuing to strike Iran.

The Iranian authorities have said their own retaliatory strikes target "American installations" on Gulf soil rather than the neighbours themselves - but many attacks have hit civilian infrastructure.

In a statement on Saturday, Hamas said it was "following with deep concern the ongoing war in the region".

It called upon "all states and international organisations to worktowards halting [the war] immediately".

Iran has not publicly commented on Hamas's statement.

Tehran's retaliatory drone and missile strikes have been felt by many of its Gulf neighbours over the past two weeks.

At least 18 people have been killed across the region so far, most of them security personnel or foreign workers.

Six people have been killed in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and another six in Kuwait, while Oman, Saudi Arabia and Bahrain have all reported two deaths in each of their countries.

Iran is Hamas's biggest backer in terms of funds, weapons and political support.

The Palestinian group has previously condemned as a "heinous crime" the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei in joint US-Israeli strikes on the first day of the war on 28 February.

Hamas is a member of Iran's "axis of resistance" - a loose coalition aimed at combating US and Israeli influence.

Turkey and Qatar - who have recently come under Iranian attacks - also provide significant financial and political support to Hamas.

The group fought a devastating war against Israel in the Gaza Strip for more than two years.

A US-imposed ceasefire came into effect last October, and negotiations continue over the later phases of the deal.

Israel and Hamas have accused each other of near-daily violations of the ceasefire agreement since October.

The Hamas-run health ministry said 649 people had been killed in Gaza since the ceasefire came into effect.