Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said the U.S. is 'postured defensively' as more warplanes and a massive aircraft carrier moved to the region.

Blasts rang out across a swath of the Middle Eastern republic’s territory, targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities, military leadership and scientists.

A senior Western defence source said Israeli warplanes have been refuelling over Syria - a bastion of Iranian influence until Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December. Israel is now operating over Syria with "near-total freedom", the source said.

Israel has escalated its bombardment of Iranian cities, including Tehran's state television headquarters; Iranian missiles have struck Tel Aviv.

We are doing what we need to do,” the Israeli leader told ABC News when asked if he plans to go after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Analysts say the Kremlin is prioritizing its own war against Ukraine, as well as its relations with Gulf nations that don’t want to see a stronger Iran.

Israel stunned Iran last week with an intelligence and military operation years in the making that struck high-level targets with precision.