Blasts rang out across a swath of the Middle Eastern republic’s territory, targeting Iran’s nuclear capabilities, military leadership and scientists.

Israel's strikes on Iran have targeted several of its nuclear facilities as it claims the country is seeking to develop nuclear weapons -- an accusation Tehran denies.

Israel has escalated its bombardment of Iranian cities, including Tehran's state television headquarters; Iranian missiles have struck Tel Aviv.

The strikes are part of an air campaign Israel launched against its longtime foe five days ago, targeting Iran’s military and nuclear program.

Israel has conducted a precision strike on Iran's most secretive and secure nuclear facility - the Natanz nuclear complex, which is located deep underground.

Iranian sites such as the Isfahan nuclear technology centre, Shiraz missile production facility, Tabriz north missile base, and more have been struck by Israel.

When Israel launched its series of strikes against Iran last week, it also issued a number of dire warnings about the country’s nuclear program, suggesting Iran was fast approaching a point of no return in its quest to obtain nuclear weapons and that the strikes were necessary to preempt that outcome.

By Alexander Cornwell, Parisa Hafezi and Jeff Mason TEL AVIV/DUBAI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Iranian missiles struck major Israeli cities on Monday while Israel's prime minister said his country was on its way to eliminating "threats" from nuclear and missile facilities in Iran and civilian casualties mounted on both sides.