The military says the IR-40 heavy water reactor is a key component in plutonium production; says strike is to prevent reactor from being restored, used for nuclear weapons development; Natanz nuclear facility was also hit 

The corridor for 20% of the world’s oil supply, the Strait of Hormuz is a lifeline for the global economy; if Iran blocks the maritime choke point, as some officials have threatened, America, Europe and the Arab world would likely respond militarily

As Israeli strikes rock Iran, exiled opposition leader Iman Foroutan says the regime is crumbling and the Iranian people are celebrating, even as risks of casualties, chaos and global fallout remain high

 Rescue forces helped evacuate residents from a 26-story building in Ramat Gan hit by missile from Iran; Some 129 people were injured as a result of Iran's morning attack 

Dozens of towns affected in widespread barrage as Israeli defenses intercept most rockets; rescue flights delayed, no major injuries reported; PM hints at assassination of Iran's supreme leader

Maria Pashkurova came to Israel from Ukraine to seek cancer treatment for her daughter and was killed alongside her entire family; her husband, a Ukrainian soldier, remains unable to leave the warfront