LONDON: British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said he was concerned about tensions in the Middle East and urged Iran to de-escalate, after an attack that killed three U.S. service members in northeastern Jordan near Syria’s border.

Sunak said Britain “absolutely condemned” the drone attacks which U.S. President Joe Biden said had been carried out by Iran-backed fighters.

“We are concerned and would urge Iran to continue to de-escalate tensions in the region,” Sunak told broadcasters on Monday.

Iran says it has no link to drone strike in Jordan that killed US soldiers

“We stand resolutely with our allies to bring stability and peace to the region and that’s what we continue to work towards.”

The attack, which also wounded 34 U.S. service personnel, is the first deadly strike against U.S. forces since the Israel-Hamas war erupted in October, and marks a major escalation in tensions that have engulfed the Middle East.

Iran’s mission to the United Nations said in a statement on Monday that Tehran was not involved in the attack.