Tehran vows 'definitive' response to Israeli airstrikes
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson has announced that Tehran will use "all available means to respond firmly and effectively" to the shelling by Israel that occurred on Saturday. The response will be "effective and definitive " during a press conference," said Esmail Baghei.
Previous statements by Iranian leaders were more cautious, according to Reuters. Iran's Supreme spiritual and political leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the Israeli attack should not be "exaggerated or underestimated," but refrained from announcing an immediate retaliation, noted the BBC portal.
Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian said that Iran "will respond appropriately," adding that Tehran does not seek war.
Israel strikes Iran
On Saturday, Israel responded to Iranian attacks, which included the shelling of around 200 ballistic missiles, by striking military facilities in several regions of Iran.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff Lieutenant General Herzi Halevi evaluated on Sunday: "We used only a portion of the capabilities. We can do much more. We hit strategic arrays in Iran," said Halevi during a meeting where senior officers assessed the attack's results.
As reported by the Times of Israel portal, 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 wish for further escalation, and the attack on Iranian military targets was "a clear message."
