Iran and Israel have launched a fresh wave of attacks on each other in a development that continues to raise fears of the wider region being plunged into a destabilising conflict. Iranian missiles struck Tel Aviv and the port city of Haifa shortly before dawn on Monday,

The Israeli military has spoken of opening a path to Tehran, while defence minister Israel Katz has threatened to burn the Iranian capital if Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel.

The attack on nuclear sites set a "dangerous precedent," China's foreign minister said.

At least 224 people have been killed since Israel began striking Iran on Friday, Iranian state media reported, with civilians making up more than 90% of the casualties.

The Israel Defense Forces said the air force had launched strikes against missile sites in central Iran, as the Middle East conflict entered a fourth day.

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