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

A senior Western defence source said Israeli warplanes have been refuelling over Syria - a bastion of Iranian influence until Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December. Israel is now operating over Syria with "near-total freedom", the source said.

Iran has arrested dozens of people on suspicion of spying as fears grow in the Islamic Republic over the extent of its infiltration by Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.

In the central Israeli city of Petah Tikva, many people seem to be lining up to support the military operation against Iran — despite an Iranian missile hitting here days ago.

Syria was once among the closest allies of the Islamic republic, but the new government resents Tehran’s support for the Assad regime and has pledged not to allow attacks on Israel from its territory.

Red alert sirens warning of incoming fire have sent Israelis scrambling to bomb shelters over the last three nights, and Iran has vowed to keep launching ballistic missiles.

Israel's command of Iranian air space leaves few obstacles in the way of its expanding bombardment, though it will struggle to deal a knock-out blow to deeply buried nuclear sites without the U.S. joining the attack,

Iran attacks on Israel continue, though only a portion of ballistic missiles have infiltrated Israel’s layered defense apparatus as Israel takes out Iranian strike capabilities.