Hamas harshly condemned on Thursday new UN Security Council sanctions against Iran and accused the international community of double standards.
"This is a manifestation of a policy of double standards, when Iran is punished for its peaceful nuclear program, whereas the Zionist occupational regime, which has the biggest nuclear arsenal and commits crimes against humanity on Palestinian lands and in the Arab region, is defended," Hamas said in a statement.
The UN Security Council on Wednesday approved a new package of economic sanctions on Iran over its controversial nuclear program.
Twelve members of the council's 15 members voted for the resolution, which was sponsored by the five permanent members of the Security Council - the United States, Britain, France, China and Russia.
Turkey and Brazil, two of the Council's current rotating members, voted against the resolution.
The fourth round of sanctions imposed on Iran includes tougher financial controls and an expanded arms embargo. They also stipulate an asset ban and a travel freeze on more than three dozen companies and individuals.
Hamas called the resolution "a tool to establish a Zionist hegemony" in the Middle East and said it was aimed at "depriving Arab and Muslim states of access to knowledge and peaceful nuclear power."
Hamas, which has controlled the Gaza Strip since the summer of 2007, enjoys support from Iran and is one of its allies in the Arab world.
International pressure on Iran increased in February when Tehran announced it had begun enriching uranium to 20% in lieu of an agreement on an exchange that would provide it with fuel for a research reactor.
DAMASCUS, June 10 (RIA Novosti)
