THE Middle East teeters on the edge of full-scale conflict after Israel launched an extensive missile assault on Iran, prompting Tehran to retaliate with a surge of drones.

Israeli forces targeted Iran’s nuclear sites and eliminated key military and scientific figures in a rapid strike named Operation Rising Lion.

Israel seemingly ignored calls for moderation, including those from US President Donald Trump, claiming they were acting due to the immediate threat of Iran acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Iran have vowed vengeance – already begun to blame the US – and have launched at least one hundred drones towards Israel, which is expected to hit in the next few hours.

The strikes came just days before Iran was due to meet with the US for another round of nuclear talks to try and strike a deal.

In a ferocious show of force, around 200 Israeli fighter jets roared across Iranian skies early Friday.

The Israeli Defence Force (IDF) said they used 330 munitions on 100 targets, including uranium enrichment plants and key command centres.

Major strikes have taken place on Iran’s military bases, the homes of top officials and nuclear sites such as the uranium enrichment base at Natanz .

And the heads of Iran’s armed forces – Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami and Iranian chief of state Mohammad Bagheri – have both been killed.

At least two nuclear scientists – Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad – have also been killed, says Iranian state TV.

The Israeli military called the blitz a “pre-emptive, precise, combined offensive based on high-quality intelligence” and confirmed it had struck nuclear and missile sites across the country.

The IDF said in a statement: “Dozens of IAF jets completed the first stage that included strikes on dozens of military targets, including nuclear targets in different areas of Iran.” 

Iran has vowed “severe punishment”, calling the strikes a “cowardly” act of aggression as fears mount of a devastating counterstrike.

In a fiery statement, Tehran said the assault “shows why Iran insists on enrichment, nuclear technology, and missile power,” framing the attack as proof of its need for deterrence.

A “special state of emergency” is now in effect in Israel.

Air raid sirens blared across the country in the early hours, with residents jolted awake by alerts warning of an imminent missile and drone attack.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called the assault vital to “roll back the Iranian threat to Israel’s very survival”, vowing the campaign would last “as many days as it takes to remove the threat.”

He accused Tehran of advancing toward a nuclear weapon, claiming Iran had enriched enough uranium for “nine atom bombs.”

“In recent months, Iran has taken steps that it has never taken before – steps to weaponize this enriched uranium,” Netanyahu said.

“This is a clear and present danger to Israel’s very survival.”

Explosions rocked military sites northeast of Tehran, including the Mahalati complex.

Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami, top nuclear scientist Fereydoun Abbasi, theoretical physicist Dr Mohammed Mehdi Tehranchi, and Major General Gholam Ali Rashid were among those killed.

Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei accused Israel of targeting residential areas, saying: “In the enemy’s attacks, a number of commanders and scientists were martyred.

“Their successors and colleagues will immediately continue their duties.”

The International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed the Natanz nuclear facility was struck and said it was in contact with Iranian officials regarding radiation concerns.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio insisted Washington was not involved, though he said “necessary steps” were being taken to protect American personnel in the region.

“Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel,” Rubio warned.

He backed Israel’s right to self-defence, saying it “believes the strikes are necessary.”

Stay up to date with the latest on Israel vs Iran with The Sun’s live blog