Hezbollah has long been considered Iran's first line of defense in case of a war with Israel. But since Israel launched its massive barrage against Iran this week, the Lebanese group has stayed out of the fray.

A network of powerful Iran-backed militias in Iraq has also remained mostly quiet — even though Israel used Iraq's airspace, in part, to carry out the attacks.

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Sunday that the attacks on Israel will end once Israel halts its military campaign against the Islamic republic.

Donald Trump warned Iran on Sunday that it would experience "the full strength" of the U.S. military if it attacks the United States, reiterating that Washington "had nothing to do" with Israel's strikes on Tehran's nuclear and intelligence facilities.

Iranian missile fire on Israel killed at least 10 people overnight, authorities said Sunday, as the foes exchanged new waves of attacks in their most intense confrontation in history.

Israel and Iran traded fire for a third straight day on Sunday, with rising casualties and expanding targets marking a sharp escalation in the conflict between the longtime adversaries.

Israel's defense minister warned Iran on Saturday that "Tehran will burn" if it continues firing missiles.

Speaking after an assessment meeting with the army's chief of staff, Defense Minister Israel Katz said that Iran will pay a heavy price for harming Israeli citizens.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he ordered an attack plan against Iran in November 2024, shortly after the elimination of Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah, the leader of Lebanon's Hezbollah — one of Iran’s strongest proxies. That’s when Israel forecasted Iran would start rapidly advancing its nuclear program.

In a video statement circulated to journalists Friday evening, Netanyahu said the attack was supposed to happen in April but was postponed.

U.S. President Donald Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Friday, the White House said, after Israel struck Iran's military leadership and nuclear facilities and Tehran retaliated.

The call was confirmed by a White House official to AFP on condition of anonymity. Trump had earlier said that he had been made aware of the Israeli strikes before they happened on Thursday.

Israel targeted Iran's air defenses and missile launchers on Saturday as it pressed its bid to dismantle its arch-foe's military capabilities, after a night of mutual attacks.

Israel's massive strikes on Iran, which it calls an existential threat, have hit nuclear and military facilities, killed top commanders and dozens of civilians, and sought to destroy the country's defense capabilities.

Iranian state media said the country's forces downed two Israeli fighter jets on Friday, during a massive Israeli air raid.

"At least two Israeli fighter jets were shot down in Iranian skies," the official IRNA news agency reported, without elaborating.