Death toll mounts as Israel strikes Iran

Israeli govt has said it launched the strikes to prevent Iran from building a nuclear weapon, after talks between the US and Iran over a diplomatic resolution had made little visible progress

- Associated Press

DUBAI: Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday warned the United States that joining the Israeli strikes now targeting the Islamic Republic will "result in irreparable damage for them."

The comments by 86-year-old Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei came in a statement read aloud by a state television anchor against a still image of the leader.

It wasn't clear why Khamenei did not appear himself on screen, as he has once earlier since the Israeli attacks began on Friday.

"Any military involvement by the US in this field will undoubtedly result in irreparable damage for them," the anchor said, reading Khamenei's statement.

Israeli warplanes pounded Iran's capital overnight and into Wednesday as Iran launched a small barrage of missiles at Israel with no reports of casualties. An Iranian official warned on Wednesday that any US intervention in the conflict would risk "all-out war."

Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghaei delivered the warning in an interview with Al Jazeera English, saying "any American intervention would be a recipe for an all-out war in the region."

He did not elaborate, but thousands of American troops are based in nearby countries within range of Iran's weapons. The US has threatened a massive response to any attack.

Another Iranian official said the country would keep enriching uranium for peaceful purposes, apparently ruling out demands to give up its disputed nuclear programme.

US President Donald Trump initially distanced himself from Israel's surprise attack on Friday that triggered the conflict, but in recent days has hinted at greater American involvement, saying he wants something "much bigger" than a ceasefire. The US has also sent more warplanes to the region.