UK, US foreign pocily heads discuss Middle East violence in London LONDON, Nov. 18 (Xinhua) -- British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond on Tuesday met U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in London for talks on violence in the Middle East, Iran nuclear talks and relations with Russia. "Our close relationship with the United States is, and will remain, the cornerstone of UK foreign policy," Hammond said in a statement following the meeting. During his meeting with Kerry, Hammond condemned "in the strongest possible terms" the attack that took place Tuesday at a synagogue in west Jerusalem, in which at least four people were killed and eight injured. I call on all world leaders to step up and condemn this brutality. Both sides must do everything possible to de-escalate tensions, which are extremely dangerous for the Israeli and Palestinian communities," the British foreign secretary urged. Hammond and Kerry also discussed the resumption of talks in Vienna Tuesday between international powers and Iran on its nuclear program. As negotiations enter a final phase ahead of the Nov. 24 deadline, I believe a deal can be done. But we will not do a bad deal. These negotiations are extremely tough and Iran needs to show more flexibility if we are to succeed," Hammond noted. The two officials also discussed the situation in Ukraine and relations with Russia, according to the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO).