The U.S. was represented at the UN Security Council's emergency session on Friday by State Department Senior Bureau Official McCoy Pitt, who said the U.S. was advised by Israel that the actions carried out against Iran overnight were "necessary for its self-defense."

It’s too soon to tell how exactly the current wave of Israeli strikes could transform the region, but one thing is clear: Israel’s actions have fundamentally reshaped the security landscape of the Middle East.

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

Israel’s military and intelligence operation against Iran that began Thursday night is unprecedented in scale and scope. I was on live with Anderson Cooper as it unfolded and the full extent of the attack began to clarify.

Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, generals, and scientists killed 78 people and wounded more than 320 on Friday, Iran’s ambassador told the U.N. Security Council, but he said “the overwhelming majority” of victims were civilians. Israel described the new wave of hostilities as the beginning of “Operation Rising Lion.”

"This confrontation will not end with last night's limited actions and Iran's strikes will continue, and this action will be very painful and regrettable for the aggressors," Fars reported, citing senior military officials.