Iran at disadvantage after Israel's airstrikes, Israeli defence minister says

FILE PHOTO: Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu takes part in a memorial ceremony of the Hamas attack on October 7, in Jerusalem

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Iran is at a disadvantage that can be exploited in the future after Israeli airstrikes over the weekend, Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Monday.

"You have conducted accurate strikes on their radars and air defence systems, which creates a huge disadvantage for the enemy when we will want to strike later," a statement released by Gallant's office quoted the defence minister as saying during a meeting with air force chiefs.

"You have also damaged their production capabilities, which changes the balance of power. Their supplies are now set, and this affects their calculus. Both their attack and defensive capabilities have been weakened."

Iran has said Saturday's airstrikes caused limited damage. A spokesperson for Iran's foreign ministry said on Monday that Tehran would "use all available tools" to respond.

Israel's air strikes responded to an Iranian missile attack on Israel on Oct. 1.

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Timothy Heritage)