“We’re talking to both sides, all the relevant sides, on this and hopefully we can bring it to a conclusion, but we’re very concerned,” Rubio said when asked by a reporter about the Israeli strikes.

In fuller comments afterward, Rubio did not directly reference Israel but spoke of the clashes in the majority-Druze city of Sweida that Israel cited for its intervention.

“We are very worried about the violence in southern Syria. It is a direct threat to efforts to help build a peaceful and stable Syria,” Rubio said in a statement.

“We have been and remain in repeated and constant talks with the governments of Syria and Israel on this matter.”

President Donald Trump has staunchly backed Israel including in its military campaigns in Gaza and Iran.

But Trump has been prioritising diplomacy with Syria’s new leadership, seeing an opening after Sunni Islamist-led fighters toppled long-time ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.