Iranian Defense Minister said there is no East or West for us. We will respond to every threat to Iran.

Iranian Defense Minister Mohammad Reza Ashtiani told a news conference Wednesday that "There is no East or West for us. We will respond to any threat to Iran, regardless of which country it comes from".

He stressed that their response would be "tough, appropriate, and decisive".

"We have the right to defend the sovereignty of our territory in the face of threats," he said.

A number of civilians were killed in a missile attack in Erbil province late on November 15, causing a local and foreign reaction.