The retaliatory strikes came after Israel attacked Iran, killing top military leaders and scientists. The assault destroyed an aboveground nuclear enrichment plant near Natanz, the head of the U.N. nuclear watchdog agency said.

Each drone carries 40-50 kg of explosives and could take up to 10 hours to reach Israel. Despite their slow speed, the sheer volume has raised alarms across the region, triggering air defenses and fears of a wider war.

Iran’s state news agency IRNA said hundreds of ballistic missiles had been launched in retaliation for Israel’s biggest ever attacks on Iran, blasting Iran’s huge underground nuclear site at Natanz an

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.

Veteran nuclear scientists Mohammad-Mehdi Tehranchi and Fereydoon Abbasi have also been killed in separate attacks, Iranian state-owned Press TV reported. Khamenei condemned the targeted airstrikes on Iran's military and nuclear sites and vowed Tehran's severe retaliation against Israel.

Markets are having another bout of nerves after Israel bombed Iran, which is believed to have fired back drones in response.

Britain will not be moving to protect Israel from a barrage of Iranian drones following last night's strikes, according to reports. UK defence sources have hinted there are no plans to help defend the Jewish state as Iran hits back following last night's strikes.

While Israel has inflicted significant damage on Hezbollah’s UAV capabilities, Barri explained, much of the infrastructure remains intact.