The Trump administration has come out in strong support of the Israeli action against Iranian targets in Syria, saying the United States backs its 'staunch' ally's right to 'defend' itself.

The Israeli military yesterday shot down an Iranian drone that infiltrated the country before launching a 'large-scale attack' on at least a dozen Iranian and Syrian targets in Syria.

Israel called it a 'severe and irregular violation of Israeli sovereignty' and warned of further action against the unprecedented Iranian aggression.

The White House came out in strong support of Israel, warning Iran to cease its provocative actions.

'Israel is a staunch ally of the United States, and we support its right to defend itself from the Iranian-backed Syrian and militia forces in southern Syria,' the White House said in a statement.

"We call on Iran and its allies to cease provocative actions and work toward regional peace," the White House said.

Earlier, the State Department said it is deeply concerned about today's escalation of violence over Israel's border and strongly supports Israel's sovereign right to defend itself.

"Iran's calculated escalation of threat and its ambition to project its power and dominance, places all the people of the? region - from Yemen to Lebanon - at risk," the State Department Spokesperson Heather Nauert said.

The US continues to push back on the totality of Iran's malign activities in the region and calls for an end to Iranian behaviour that threatens peace and stability, she said.  -- PTI