Iran: Iran announced it would leverage "all available tools" in response to Israel's recent airstrikes on Iranian facilities. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei made this declaration in a televised statement on Monday, October 28, following weekend airstrikes by Israel that targeted military sites within Iran.

Baghaei stated, “Iran will use all available tools to deliver a definite and effective response to the Zionist regime (Israel),” and highlighted that Iran's response would be proportional to the Israeli strikes. Although Baghaei did not detail specific actions Iran may take, he underscored a readiness to escalate measures if necessary.

This exchange follows weeks of intensified hostilities, including Iran’s missile attack on October 1, largely intercepted by Israeli air defenses. On Saturday, Israel launched three waves of airstrikes, aiming at missile production facilities and other installations near Tehran and in western Iran.
In a measured statement, Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei called for careful action, advising that the Israeli strikes be taken seriously but without exaggeration. Meanwhile, Iran's support for regional groups like Hezbollah and Hamas adds to the rising regional tensions, as both groups engage in conflicts with Israeli forces in Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

President Joe Biden has urged for de-escalation in the region, expressing concern about the risk of broader conflict in the Middle East.