According to Iran International, a spokesman for the Islamic Republic of Iran's Foreign Ministry said the country rejects weapons of mass destruction but that Tehran will equip itself “to the extent necessary” to protect the country.

During a press conference, Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei spoke about Iran's nuclear program amid tensions between Iran, the United States and Israel following the recent attack in Tel Aviv. Newsweek The Foreign Ministry of the Islamic Republic of Iran emailed for comment.

Baghaei said: “Iran's official position on the rejection of weapons of mass destruction and on the peaceful nature of the Islamic Republic of Iran's nuclear program is clear.”

Baghaei continued: “As emphasized in the recent speech of the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution, we will equip ourselves to the extent necessary for the defense of Iran.”

Baghaei added that Iran will use all of its “material and spiritual resources to respond to the Zionist regime’s recent aggression.”

The State Department spokesman's statements are similar to those made recently by Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei when he promised a “tooth-breaking response” to Israel and the United States, NBC News reported.

Khamenei's adviser, Kamal Kharrazi, also reiterated statements about Iran's self-defense and suggested he may change his nuclear weapons policy to achieve this.

Kharrazi said: “If an existential threat arises, Iran will change its nuclear doctrine. We have the ability to build weapons and have no problem in this regard.”

He added: “The only thing that currently prohibits this is the leader’s fatwa.”

Khamenei issued a fatwa, an official declaration or order by an Islamic religious leader, in the 1990s that banned the development of nuclear weapons.

The Supreme Leader's comments in defense of Iran continued to escalate, and on November 2, Khamenei said: “The enemies, whether the Zionist regime or the United States of America, will certainly receive a devastating response to what they do to Iran and the United States of America.” “Iranian nation and to the resistance front.”

Tensions between Iran and Israel have escalated recently as Iran launched two major attacks on Israel in April and October.

In the April attack, Iran fired 300 missiles and drones at Israel, reportedly in response to the deaths of Iranian soldiers in Syria.

Iran also launched an attack on Israel on October 1, sending around 180 rockets into Israel.

Israel responded by attacking Iran on October 25, carrying out airstrikes on the country's capital.

In another recent attack on Iran, Israel also damaged an Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) facility that produced ballistic missiles and fired rockets.

Iran has reiterated that it believes the US is complicit in Israel's attacks, saying so as recently as November 3. The State Department's statement marking the 13th Aban anniversary, the “National Day to Combat Global Arrogance,” said the US was “exercising unlawful interference and cruel pressure against Israel.” Iran continues to this day, including in the form of inhumane sanctions and full support of Israeli rogue behavior.”