Iran vows decisive response to Israeli missile attack

The Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs states that its response will be "a definite and effective." The Foreign Ministry's spokesperson, Esmail Baghei, said this during a press conference.

Reuters noted that previous statements by Iranian leaders were more cautious. Iran's supreme spiritual-political leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the Israeli attack should not be "not be exaggerated nor underestimated" but refrained from announcing an immediate retaliation, as reported by the BBC.

Meanwhile, President Masud Pezeszkian said Iran "will respond appropriately," adding that Tehran is not seeking war.

On Saturday, Israel responded to Iranian attacks, which included shelling with approximately 200 ballistic missiles, by striking military targets in several regions of Iran.

The Chief of the General Staff of the Israeli Defence Forces, General Herzi Halevi, assessed on Sunday that the retaliatory strike on Iran used "only a portion of the capabilities. We can do much more," said Halevi during a meeting where senior officers evaluated the attack's results.

According to the Times of Israel, Halevi stated that Israel "hit strategic arrays in Iran. This is of very high importance. And we’ll see how things evolve now. We’re ready for all scenarios on all fronts."

Israel indicated that it does not want further escalation and that the attack on Iranian military targets was intended as a "clear message."