UK condemns Iranian rocket attacks against Israel

By Ahmet Gurhan Kartal

LONDON (AA) – Britain has condemned Iranian rocket attacks against Israeli forces and urged Tehran to avoid any further actions, a government statement said Thursday.

The Israeli army claimed early Thursday that Iranian forces in Syria launched 20 rockets into the Golan Heights but said they were intercepted by its Iron Dome air defense system.

The Israel army said in a statement that it "views this Iranian attack with severity."

“The United Kingdom condemns in the strongest terms the Iranian rocket attacks against Israeli forces. We strongly support Israel’s right to defend itself,” said British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

Also urging Iran to refrain from taking further actions, Johnson said such actions “will only lead to increased instability in the region.”

Separately, in the early hours of Thursday, Israel attacked the towns of Baas and Hadar in Syria's Quneitra region with tanks and airstrikes. The attacked locations are currently under the control of regime forces.

Israeli army officials declined to provide Anadolu Agency details of the attacks.

“It is crucial to avoid any further escalations, which would be in no one’s interest,” Johnson added.

“We also continue to call on Russia to use its influence to press those in Syria to cease their destabilising activity and work towards a broader political settlement,” Johnson said.