Macron calls for 'de-escalation' as tensions flare between Israel and Iran

Tensions have flared between Israel and Iran days after the US president pulled out from a landmark nuclear deal with Iran - a move backed by Israel.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab

10 May, 2018

A regional flare-up is feared following Trump's announcement to leave the nuclear deal [Getty]

French President Emmanuel Macron called on Thursday for a "de-escalation" between Israel and Iran after the Israeli army said it struck Iranian targets in Syria following rocket fire it blamed on Tehran.

Macron will discuss the issue when he meets with the German chancellor Angela Merkel later today.

Israel launched repeated rounds of rocket fire into Syria, targeting Iranian bases early Thursday after its military said Iranian forces in Syria had fired missiles at Israeli army positions in the Golan Heights.

UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said that an Israeli airstrike in Syria had left 15 dead, including eight Iranians.

Iranian forces in Syria reportedly fired around 20 rockets and missiles at Israeli army positions in the occupied Golan Heights.

Syrian media earlier said the hostilities began with Israeli fire at Syrian positions in southern Syria from across the border.

The latest flare-up comes following US President Donald Trump's announcement on Tuesday that he was withdrawing from the landmark Iranian nuclear deal.

Macron had previously warned that such a move would open up "Pandora's Box" and could possibly see a war in the region.