Iran says it has a right to respond to Israeli attacks under UN Charter

The Iranian foreign ministry issued a statement later on Saturday asserting Iran's right to respond to the Israeli attack.

“On the basis of its inherent right to legitimate defence, stipulated in Article 51 of the UN Charter, the Islamic Republic of Iran considers itself to be rightful and duty bound to defend against the foreign acts of aggression,” the statement read.

"Iran will employ all of the physical and spiritual capabilities of the Iranian nation to protect its interests and security," it said, according to the semi-official Tasnim news agency.