Tehran to respond firmly, effectively, says Iran minister

IRANIAN foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said on Monday that Tehran would "respond firmly and effectively" to deadly Israeli strikes on military sites over the weekend.

"We are using all available means to respond firmly and effectively to the aggression of the Zionist regime," Baghaei told a news conference.

"The nature of our response will depend on the nature of the attack."

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that Iran seeks to develop a "stockpile" of nuclear bombs aimed at destroying Israel.

"Iran is striving to develop a stockpile of nuclear bombs to destroy us, equipped with long-range missiles, intercontinental missiles that Iran is trying to develop," Netanyahu said in a speech to lawmakers as Israel's parliament began its winter session.