France, Germany and the UK have said they are ready to defend their interests and those of their allies in the Gulf if necessary by taking “defensive action” against Iran, reports AFP.

The three countries’ leaders were “appalled by the indiscriminate and disproportionate missile attacks launched by Iran against countries in the region, including those who were not involved in initial US and Israeli military operations”, said the joint statement.

“We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran’s capability to fire missiles and drones at their source,” it added.