Israel launched one of the largest military attacks against Iran, aiming to decapitate its military leadership and halt its nuclear program.

Israel launched at least six waves of air strikes in what it is calling Operation Rising Lion. More are expected in the next hours and days. The first, at around 3.30am Iran time, struck command-and-control centres,

Friday’s attacks constituted a significant escalation between Israel and Iran — raising fears of a full-on regional conflict likely to embroil the U.S.