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

Stock markets across the Gulf fell on Sunday morning after Israel and Iran launched fresh attacks on each other overnight, sparking fears of a widening conflict in the Middle East.

The retaliatory strikes came on Saturday, a day after Israel killed top Iranian military leaders and scientists and destroyed an aboveground nuclear enrichment plant near Natanz.

Israel’s military said it shot down 20 drones en route to Israel on Sunday. It comes after it reported striking 80 targets in Iran overnight, including the headquarters of the Ministry of Defense and the headquarters of the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research,

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is on the mission of his lifetime. For years, the veteran leader has made the destruction of Iran’s nuclear program his top priority.

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.

Iran's nuclear program will be hard to dismantle, but Israel has increased its superiority in missile and air defence capabilities

Israel warns "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues firing missiles, while state media say 60 people have been killed in a strike on Iran's capital.