EU leaders back new Iran sanctions after attack on Israel

European Union leaders have decided to step up sanctions against Iran after Tehran's missile and drone attack on Israel left world powers scrambling to prevent a wider conflict in the Middle East.

The summit in Brussels is the first meeting of the EU's 27 national leaders since April 13 attack, more than six months into the war between Israel and the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group Hamas, according to Reuters.

Israel has signalled it will retaliate but has not said how. EU leaders condemned the Iranian attack, reaffirmed their commitment to Israel's security and called on all sides to prevent more tensions, including in Lebanon.

"We feel it's very important to do everything to isolate Iran," said summit chairman Charles Michel, adding the new sanctions against the Islamic Republic would target companies involved in the production of drones and missiles.

Iran attacked Israel in response to an attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, Syria at night on April 13. During the five-hour attack, Iran launched 185 drones, 30 cruise missiles and 120 ballistic missiles towards Israel.