Iran is not seeking “escalation” but has the right to “legitimate defence”, its foreign minister said in Pakistan, vowing to respond to last month’s Israeli strikes on its military sites, AFP reports.

“Unlike Israel, the Islamic Republic of Iran doesn’t seek escalation, however, we reserve our inherent right to legitimate defence,” Abbas Araghchi said during a news conference, alongside his Pakistan counterpart.

“We will certainly respond to the Israeli aggression in a proper time and in a proper manner,” and “in a very measured and well-calculated manner”, said Araghchi who is on a two-day official visit to Pakistan.

Since the strikes, Israel has warned Iran against retaliating, while Tehran vowed to respond.