Israel has delivered Iran its most devastating blow since Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein invaded the Islamic republic in its infancy more than four decades ago.
In Tehran, explosions rocked the capital from the early hours until just after dawn as Israeli fighter jets bombed military headquarters and officers’ residences. About 300km south of the capital, at least two waves of air strikes then struck Natanz, one of Iran’s main uranium enrichment facilities, sending up huge plumes of black smoke.
Multiple strikes were also reported across the country as about 200 Israeli warplanes launched bombing raids throughout the country. And it is just the beginning — an Israeli official said the strikes could continue for weeks.