Israel says it first bombed Iran to stop it from being able to produce nuclear weapons and the “existential threat” they would represent.

DUBAI—Iran has been urgently signaling that it seeks an end to hostilities and resumption of talks over its nuclear programs, sending messages to Israel and the U.S. via Arab intermediaries, Middle Eastern and European officials said.

Tehran has asked Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Oman to press U.S. President Donald Trump to use his influence on Israel to agree to an immediate ceasefire with Iran in return for Tehran's flexibility in nuclear negotiations,

Israeli forces stepped up bombing of Iranian cities, while Iran pierced Israeli air defences with a successful volleys of retaliatory missile strikes.

The two powers have been exchanging barrages since Israel attacked Iran and killed many of the country’s top military leaders and scientists.

Israel hit more targets in Tehran and Iranian missiles fired at Israel killed at least 14, as the conflict entered a third day

The Israel Defense Forces has released dramatic footage of its air force destroying two of Iran’s last remaining F-14 Tomcats — the iconic US fighter jets made famous by “Top Gun.” Aerial videos show the moment the two US-made jets are blown up in Israeli drone strikes on an airfield near Tehran.

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.

Iran conflict could open opportunities for Russia to possibly become a power broker to help end the confrontation.