Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites

Israel launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure Friday, deploying - warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to attack key facilities and kill top generals and scientists - a barrage it said was necessary before its adversary got any closer to building an atomic weapon.

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The ongoing military and intelligence operation raised the potential for all-out war between the countries and propelled the region, already on edge, into even greater upheaval.

Iran quickly retaliated by sending a swarm of drones at Israel, and Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned of “severe punishment.”

Israel's military said about 200 aircraft were involved in the initial attack on about 100 targets. Its Mossad spy agency positioned explosive drones and precision weapons inside Iran ahead of time, and used them to target Iranian air defences and missile launchers near Tehran, according to two security officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.