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

Direct hit on southern hospital caused widespread destruction throughout the medical center; Patients moving to other hospitals : 'There is almost no place that was not damaged. Ceilings have fallen, we don't know how protected we are'

Russian president tells media executives the strategic partnership agreement between Russia and Iran did not envisage military cooperation, Iran had not made any formal request for assistance 

Soroka hospital in Be'er Sheva now closed to all but life-threatening emergencies; missile struck a surgical wing that had been evacuated just hours earlier