Iran launched multiple deadly waves of missiles and drones toward Israel into Saturday morning following Israel’s unprecedented strikes aimed at destroying Iran’s nuclear program and decapitating its military leadership.

The region braced for a protracted conflict after Israel’s surprise bombardment of Iran’s nuclear and military sites on Friday killed several top generals and nuclear scientists, and neither side showed any sign of backing down.

The Israeli military struck "over 170 targets" in Iran in three days, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said on Sunday.

Experts suggest the U.S. has a strategic opportunity to leverage Iran's weakened position for a nuclear deal after Israel's targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.

There will be no nuclear talks with Iran on Sunday, a senior U.S. administration official says, adding Washington still hopes Tehran will resume negotiations soon. “We remain committed to talks and hope the Iranians will come to the table soon,

Israel carried out a wave of airstrikes on Iran that it described as a "preemptive" and "combined offensive" on the country to hack away at Tehran's nuclear program. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the attacks had taken out many of its adversary's ballistic missiles.

Israel’s sweeping attack across Iran struck at the heart of Tehran’s nuclear program, delivering a blow to the country’s ability to enrich uranium and potentially setting its nuclear ambitions back by months or years.

The push to do a deal on the country’s nuclear program could be revived, even after the Israeli strikes scuppered the latest round of talks.

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