In a rare appeal, Hamas also urged the international community to take steps to end the war that has gripped the Middle East since it began on February 28.

"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 neighbouring countries," Hamas said in a statement, its first such public appeal to Tehran.

Hamas's Lebanese ally Hezbollah, meanwhile, has fired hundreds of rockets at Israel since it joined the Middle East war, sending Israelis in the country's north fleeing to shelters.

Israeli strikes targeting the group have killed nearly 800 people in Lebanon since March 2, according to the Lebanese health ministry.

Hamas, which fought a devastating two-year war with Israel in Gaza, also called on the international community to "work towards halting" the Middle East conflict immediately.

The group previously condemned the killing of Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, on the first day of the war as a "heinous crime", openly acknowledging his longstanding support for the Palestinian movement.

"He provided all forms of political, diplomatic and military support to our people, our cause and our resistance," the movement said soon after his death.

A Hamas official told AFP that the movement has been in contact with Iranian officials regarding the Gulf attacks.

"The Israeli occupation seeks to sow discord between Iran and its Arab and Islamic neighbours," the source said, speaking on condition of anonymity because he was not authorised to brief the media.

"Hamas's leadership has also reached out to officials in several countries, including Qatar, Turkey and Iraq, urging them to work towards halting the American and Zionist aggression against the Islamic Republic of Iran," he added.

Despite facing superior US and Israeli firepower, Iran has retaliated with missile and drone attacks against at least 10 countries.

Qatar said it intercepted two missiles on Saturday, after blasts were heard in the capital Doha and authorities said they had evacuated some areas.

- Qatar, Turkey targeted -

Hamas's appeal for Iran to stop targeting regional states is notable, given that Tehran has long been one of the group's most important backers.

Analysts estimate that Iran provided Hamas with tens of millions of dollars annually, but say the group's appeal does not signal a shift.

"There is no strategic change in Hamas's position... It remains aligned with Iran," said Jamal al-Fadi, professor of international relations at Al-Azhar University in Gaza.

"Perhaps this statement came late and should have been issued at the start of the war to condemn Iran's attacks on Gulf states," he said, noting that the group is trying to avoid "Gulf and Arab pressures".

Under the late Khamenei, Iran viewed support for Palestinian groups such as Hamas as a central pillar of its regional strategy against Israel and its allies.

Several Sunni-majority states have also maintained ties with Hamas, especially Qatar and Turkey.

Qatar has been a key financial supporter linked to Gaza during Hamas's rule, with much of its funding described as humanitarian or reconstruction aid -- covering civil servant salaries, fuel and infrastructure.

Critics argue that because Hamas governed all of Gaza until the war began in the Palestinian territory after October 7, 2023, some of this assistance indirectly bolstered the group's political authority.

Qatar has also hosted Hamas's political leadership in Doha, which has allowed the group to maintain international contacts and participate in negotiations and mediation efforts.

Turkey, meanwhile, has provided mainly political and diplomatic backing rather than large-scale direct funding.

Under President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Ankara has supported Hamas rhetorically and has hosted visits by its leaders.

On Friday, Turkey said a ballistic missile fired from Iran had been shot down in Turkish airspace by NATO forces.