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 historic strike on Iran revealed years of Mossad activity inside the country, including hidden weapons, drones and assassinations of nuclear officials.

The U.S. says it wasn't involved in the strikes on Iran, but three American officials told NBC News the U.S. is assisting in shooting down Iranian missiles and projectiles targeting Israel.

Israel’s Channel 13 reported that missiles hit Haifa and nearby Tamra. The attack on Haifa was widely anticipated, as the coastal city hosts strategic gas infrastructure. Analysts suggest this marks the beginning of Iran’s promised retaliation for the Israeli bombardment of key energy sites near Bushehr and Abadan.

Missiles, drones and sirens engulfed the skies of Israel as the Jewish nation is facing a multi-front attack from Iran, Houthis in Yemen and Hamas in Gaza. The world watches closely as the conflict in

Iran has rejected the peace talks mediated by Qatar and Oman asserting that it is not open to negotiating a ceasefire while it is under Israeli attack, an official told Reuters. "

Launching weapons from within their territory forces adversaries to look not only outward but also inside for threats, one expert said.

The deadly fighting between Israel and Iran is unlikely to bring Moscow closer to ending its invasion of Ukraine, and there are several ways it could play into Russia’s hands. But they may not move the dial dramatically in a war that seems destined to continue for months to come,

Israel's "preemptive" strikes against Iran targeting the country's nuclear program and killing top military officials could have far-reaching implications for Ukraine and could boost Russia's ability to continue its full-scale invasion,

National security experts warn that Israel's attack on Iran shows why Chinese land and asset purchases in the U.S. pose a significant threat to American security.

"This confrontation will not end with last night's limited actions and Iran's strikes will continue, and this action will be very painful and regrettable for the aggressors," Fars reported, citing senior military officials.