Iran vows decisive action after Israel's strategic strike
The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson announced that Tehran "will use all possible means" to respond to Saturday's shelling by Israel. The response will be "effective and definitive," stated Esmail Baghei during a press conference.
Reuters noted that previous statements by Iranian leaders were more cautious. Iran's Supreme Spiritual and Political Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, stated that the Israeli attack should "neither be exaggerated nor underestimated" but refrained from announcing an immediate retaliation, as reported by the BBC.
Meanwhile, President Masoud Pezeshkian said 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 about 200 ballistic missiles, by striking military facilities in several regions of Iran.
Israel Defense Forces Chief of General Staff General Herzi Halevi assessed 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 high-ranking officers evaluated the attack's results.
As reported by the Times of Israel, Halevi stated:
"We hit strategic systems in Iran… and we will see how things develop now. We are ready for all scenarios on all fronts."
Israel indicated that it does not want further escalation, and the attack on Iranian military targets was intended as "a clear message."
