![Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian speaks at the CNN television, during his official visit in New York, United States on September 24, 2024 [Iranian Presidency / Handout - Anadolu Agency]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AA-20240924-35728960-35728957-IRANIAN_PRESIDENT_MASOUD_PEZESHKIAN_IN_NEW_YORK.jpg?fit=1200%2C800&ssl=1)
Iran will “give an appropriate response” to the Israeli attack which killed at least four soldiers in the early hours of Saturday, the Mehr News Agency reported President Masoud Pezeshkian saying yesterday.
“The Islamic Republic has proven over the past 45 years that it will never back down in the face of the aggressor,” Pezeshkian reportedly told a cabinet meeting, stressing that his country did not seek war, however it has the right to defend itself and its people.
He also warned that the conflict will expand if “the Zionist” attacks continue.
In the early hours of Saturday, Israel announced that its military conducted “precise strikes” against “military targets” in Iran, as explosions were heard in the Iranian capital of Tehran and in other areas of the country.
Tasnim confirmed that air defence systems in central Tehran had been activated in response to the escalating attacks.
Meanwhile, Iran’s Civil Aviation Organisation announced that flights on all routes have been cancelled “until further notice”.