Hamas warns Israel against Iran strike

A senior Hamas official warned the hardline Palestinian group will retaliate "with the utmost power" if Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites. In an interview with Iran's semi-official Fars news agency Wednesday, Hamas official Mahmoud al-Zahar denied a recent BBC report claiming Hamas would take no action if Iran was attacked. He called the BBC Persian report unfounded and said "retaliation with the utmost power is the position of Hamas with regard to a Zionist war on Iran." He said his movement would deal a crushing blow not only to Israel but anyone that assists in such a military strike. On Tuesday, the British daily The Guardian quoted two Gaza officials saying Hamas did not belong to any regional alliance and would not involve itself in any conflict over Iran's nuclear program, Haaretz said. Al-Zahar told Fars he was doubtful that Israel will strike Iran.