Iranian forces in Syria 'fire rockets' on Israeli army positions in occupied Golan Heights

The missiles, some of which were intercepted by Israel's anti-missile system, did not cause any casualties, army spokesman lieutenant-colonel Jonathan Conricus told journalists.

He added that the Israeli army responded, but did not explain the nature of the retaliation.

The rockets were fired shortly after midnight (2100 GMT Wednesday) by men from the Iranian al-Qods brigade at the front lines of the Israeli army in Golan.

"We know that comes from the al-Qods force," Conricus said, adding: "The Israeli army takes very seriously this Iranian attack against Israel."

Syria's official SANA news agency reported that Syrian anti-aircraft defences intercepted Israeli missiles launched at Syria in retaliation for the rocket fire.

The incident comes amid heightened tensions between Israel and Iran over the situation in Syria after several operations attributed to the Israeli army against Iranian interests in the war-torn country.

Expectations of a regional flare-up were stoked by US President Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from the Iranian nuclear deal.

Hours later, an Israeli airstrike in Syria killed 15 people, including eight Iranians, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said.

Israel has neither confirmed nor denied responsibility.