Israel’s attack on Iran was long in the making – the result of years of meticulous planning by Israel and days of high-stakes talks between Tel Aviv and Washington, officials told CNN.

Israel's PM says it struck Iran at the heart of its "weaponization programme", but Iran insists its nuclear facilities were peaceful.

Follow the latest news after Israel launched strikes at Iran, a dramatic escalation in long-running tensions between the two countries.

Shortly before sunrise in Iran on Friday, Israel launched the first strikes of its operation against the regime’s nuclear program.

Three people have been killed in Israel, according to officials and local media, with both sides saying the strikes will continue.

VATICAN CITY (Reuters) -Pope Leo appealed on Saturday for authorities in Iran and Israel to act with "reason" after recent airstrikes and to pursue dialogue. He told an audience in St. Peter's Basilica he was following the situation with "great concern."

Iran has launched retaliatory missile strikes on Israel into Saturday morning after a series of blistering Israeli attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear program and its armed forces, killing at least three people and wounding dozens.

Israeli emergency services have said at least two people were killed in the strikes and dozens of people are injured.

Iran slammed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s vote as politically motivated as the region gears up for a potential Israeli strike.