Last week, Israel began striking Basij checkpoints, extending the threat to low-ranking members.

The United States views Iran through a prism of global responsibilities and strategic goals. Israel has a more regional approach. After nearly three weeks of war, their paths are diverging.

A campaign unmatched in modern warfare started by taking out Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. As it targets the tentacles of the regime, Israel on Wednesday killed intelligence minister Esmail Khatib, a day after the country’s de facto leader Ali Larijani also perished.

Follow NBC News for live updates on the latest about the war with Iran, where the U.S. launched bunker buster bombs, while Israel struck Lebanon.

Follow real-time developments as the US-Israel war with Iran enters a more dangerous phase, with missile attacks, drone interceptions, naval threats and widening regional spillover pushing the Middle East deeper into crisis.

Iran has intensified attacks targeting U.S. assets in the Middle East and Israel in apparent retaliation against the killing of Iran's security chief Ali Larijani.

War monitors say an intensified crackdown that began with the crushing of January's nationwide protests continues, often targeting those who take videos of strikes or try to get around a weekslong internet blackout to contact the outside world.

Rights groups said the trio, who included a teenager who had taken part in international wrestling competitions, were executed without a fair trial and had given confessions under torture.View on