Israel, Iran Strike Nuclear Sites Amid Escalation

Israel launched its largest-ever assault on Iran, striking key nuclear sites at Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, and killing several top Iranian military commanders and nuclear scientists in what Prime Minister Netanyahu described as a last-resort effort to stop Iran's nuclear ambitions. In retaliation, Iran fired hundreds of ballistic missiles and drones at Israeli cities including Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, causing fires, significant damage to buildings, and dozens of injuries, though the majority of projectiles were intercepted by Israeli defenses with U.S. assistance. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei declared that Israel had started a war and vowed forceful, uncompromising retaliation. The International Atomic Energy Agency and other observers condemned attacks on nuclear facilities, warning of severe risks. The ongoing exchange has sharply raised fears of a broader regional war in the Middle East. Both Israeli and Iranian leaders have signaled their intentions to continue military actions.