The United States is the main international backer of Israel, Iran's biggest regional foe. It is also a close ally of Sunni Gulf monarchies which for years pursued their own rivalry with the Islamic Republic, seeing it as their main regional threat.

"Following the State of Israel's preemptive strike against Iran, a missile and drone attack against the State of Israel and its civilian population is expected in the immediate fu

Israel pounded Iran in a series of air strikes on Friday, hitting as many as 100 targets, including Tehran's nuclear and military sites. Two of Iran's top Military commanders and at least six top nuclear scientists were killed in the attack.

Israeli airstrikes killed top Iranian military leaders, including the IRGC chief, in a major escalation that struck Tehran and other cities, damaging Iran's defence and nuclear assets

The strike comes after President Donald Trump said the U.S. was "fairly close" to reaching a nuclear deal with Iran.

The United States has pulled some diplomatic staff and military families out of the Middle East, citing unspecified regional security risks.

Iran slammed the International Atomic Energy Agency’s vote as politically motivated. It comes as U.S.-Iran nuclear talks increasingly appear stalled.