The Palestinian Islamist movement "Hamas" has called on its ally Iran to stop attacks on neighboring Gulf states amid the escalating war in the Middle East, DPA and Agence France-Presse reported, quoted by BTA.
In a statement on the "Telegram" platform The group stressed that Tehran has the right to respond to the US-Israeli strikes, but insisted that the actions should not be directed against neighboring countries.
"Reaffirming Iran's right to respond to this aggression with all available means, the movement calls on its brothers in the Islamic Republic not to target neighboring countries," the statement said.
"Hamas" also called on the international community to work for an "immediate end" to the war and encouraged countries in the region to maintain "brotherly ties" between themselves.
Since the beginning of the conflict, several Gulf states have reported Iranian missile and drone attacks, including against oil and gas facilities in countries allied to the United States.
Iran has for decades provided financial and military support to "Hamas", which has ruled the Gaza Strip since 2007. The movement also maintains close ties with Qatar.
"Hamas" earlier condemned the assassination of Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in US and Israeli strikes in Tehran on February 28. The Palestinian movement described Khamenei's death as a "heinous crime".
The Iranian armed forces warned today that they would consider ports in the United Arab Emirates a legitimate target and urged local residents to stay away from them, Agence France-Presse reported. The agency recalls that today is the 15th day since the start of the war provoked by Israel and the United States.
"We inform the leaders of the Emirates that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers it its legitimate right to defend its national sovereignty and territory by striking with missiles the American enemies located in the ports, docks and shelters of the American army" in the UAE, the central command "Khatam al-Anbiya" said in a statement.
The text of the address, broadcast by state television, calls on the population to leave these areas.
Iran has provided ships under the Indian flag with the opportunity to safely pass through the Strait of Hormuz, it told the "India Today" television. Iran's ambassador to the South Asian republic, Mohammad Fatkhali, told Reuters.
When asked if Indian ships had been allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz, the ambassador confirmed that such permission had been given. "Yes, we have, but let me not specify exactly how many [ships were allowed]," he said, declining to give details.
Earlier, it was reported that two LNG tankers belonging to the "Shipping Corporation of India" under the Indian flag have passed through the Strait of Hormuz and are heading towards India.
Reuters notes that since the US and Israel started the war against Iran, Tehran has largely stopped traffic through the Strait of Hormuz, through which about 20% of the world's seaborne oil and natural gas traffic passes.
At the same time, Reuters quoted an Indian government official as saying that Indian ships, including four crude oil tankers and six liquefied gas tankers, are west of the Strait of Hormuz.