LONDON: Chancellor Angela Merkel’s office says the German leader has condemned an Iranian rocket barrage on Israeli positions in the Golan Heights in a phone conversation with Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. She also reaffirmed European powers’ continued support for the Iran nuclear deal. Merkel’s office said the two leaders spoke Thursday. It said in a statement that Merkel underlined the support of Germany, France and Britain for the nuclear deal so long as Tehran continues to fulfill its obligations under that agreement. Merkel advocated opening talks with Iran on its ballistic missile programs and its activities in countries such as Syria and Yemen. The statement said Merkel condemned the overnight attacks on Israeli positions “and called on Iran to contribute to de-escalation in the region.” It didn’t say how Rouhani responded.