Uk PM Rishi Sunak [ Photo credit: Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street]

UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak urged Iran on Monday to de-escalate tensions in the Middle East, following a drone strike on Saturday that resulted in the death of three American soldiers.

“We are concerned and urge Iran to continue de-escalating tensions in the region,” said Sunak. 

After a drone attack by Tehran-backed forces on US soldiers in Jordan, President Biden vowed, the United States “shall respond.” 

Biden made it clear the US  “will hold all those responsible to account at a time and in a manner of our choosing.”

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed responsibility for the strike. At least 34 US troops were reported injured in the Sunday strike on the support base known as Tower 22. Iraq has denied any involvement in the drone attack.

A spokesperson for Sunak said, “We believe that the attack was carried out by radical Iran-backed militant groups operating in Syria and Iraq, in line with the US assessment.”

“We’re continuing to use all our capabilities, diplomatic and otherwise, to de-escalate tensions in the region,” he said. 

Sunak said, “We absolutely condemn what has happened over the past couple of days,” and he emphasized that the U.K. stands “resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region… And that’s what we’ll continue to work towards.”

Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on October 7, Iranian-backed militias have targeted American military installations in Iraq over 60 times. In Syria, they have carried out more than 90 strikes using drones, rockets, mortars, and ballistic missiles.

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