Israel unleashed airstrikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defenses to strike buildings in the heart of the country.

The Washington-based group Human Rights Activists reported a far higher death toll in Iran from Israeli strikes, saying the attacks have killed at least 406 people and wounded another 654. In recent crises, Iran routinely has undercounted casualties, including in the 2022 mass demonstrations over mandatory hijab laws after the death of Mahsa Amini.

Iran conflict could open opportunities for Russia to possibly become a power broker to help end the confrontation.

Israel has launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top

Israel and Iran have opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict when Israel launched a major attack with strikes early Friday on Tehran.

Israel has said it launched Operation Rising Lion to deal a blow to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has claimed that the strikes are essential to ‘roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival’ and that Tehran could build a nuclear weapon within a few months.

Israel launched an expanded assault on Iran on Sunday, targeting its energy industry and Defense Ministry headquarters, while Tehran unleashed a fresh barrage of deadly strikes. The simultaneous attacks represented the latest burst of violence since a surprise offensive by Israel two days earlier aimed at decimating Tehran’s rapidly advancing nuclear program.