The Israel-Iran war has intensified dramatically over the last 48 hours, with both countries launching direct and targeted airstrikes on key defense and nuclear sites. Israel reportedly struck Iran’s defense ministry headquarters in Tehran,

Onlookers gathered on Saturday at a central Tel Aviv residential building next door to Israel’s defense headquarters that was damaged after it took a hit from what appeared to be shrapnel from an overnight missile barrage from Iran.

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.

Air raid sirens and booms rang out in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv early Sunday, AFP journalists said, as Israel and Iran exchanged fire for a third day. Israel’s military wrote in a post on X that millions of Israelis were “running for shelter as sirens sound” in dozens of cities and communities around the country.

Israeli citizens were ordered to head to bomb shelters on Friday night amid retaliatory missile strikes from Iran.

Iran and Israel targeted each other with airstrikes early on Saturday after Israel launched its biggest-ever offensive against its longtime foe in a bid to prevent it from developing a nuclear weapon.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Air raid sirens have sounded across Israel ahead following an Iranian missile attack on the country. The rumble of explosions could be heard throughout Jerusalem, and Israeli TV stations showed plumes of smoke rising in Tel Aviv after an apparent missile strike. There were no immediate reports of casualties.

Delta Air Lines Inc. and United Airlines Holdings Inc. suspended flights to Tel Aviv following Israel’s bombing of Iran and the closure of Israel’s airspace.