THE ISRAELI GOVERNMENT came under increasing pressure Tuesday to respond harshly to rocket fire from the Gaza Strip after an overnight barrage wounded dozens of soldiers as they slept in their tents at an Israeli army base.

Iranian Interior Minister Mostafa Pour-Mohammadi took the United States, Britain and Israel responsible for repeated terrorist operations in eastern Iran during the last few months.

Iranian government spokesman here Tuesday said his county participated in talks with the US in a bid to support the Iraqi government, and stressed that Tehran would continue aids and assistance with the Iraqi government until the achievement of final results.