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.

Aerial attacks between Israel and Iran continued overnight into Tuesday, marking a fifth day of strikes following Israel's Friday attack. That surprise operation hit at the heart of Iran's nuclear program, striking key facilities and killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials.

Israeli officials have been pushing the United States to join the fray and use its huge bunker-busting bomb to crush Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

Britain’s foreign intelligence service, MI6, will be led by a woman for the first time in its history. Blaise Metreweli, who is currently head of the technology and innovation teams, will become chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in the fall. For fans of the James Bond movies, that means Q just became M.

Israel and Iran have begun a new round of attacks, as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals enters its fourth day.

Both countries have closed their airspaces, leaving few options for citizens of other countries seeking to leave.

Blasts have been heard in Tehran and sirens have sounded in Israel as US president convenes National Security Council.

MOSCOW (Reuters) -The Kremlin said on Tuesday that it saw that Israel did not want mediation efforts over its conflict with Iran, now in its fifth day amid what Moscow said was "galloping escalation".