The Israeli military said early Thursday local time that it was conducting "a series of strikes" in Tehran and other areas in Iran.

Iran's supreme leader on Wednesday rejected Donald Trump's demand for unconditional surrender, as the US president said his patience had run out. Ali Khamenei rebuked Trump in a recorded speech, saying that "any US military intervention" would be costly and added: "The Iranian nation will not surrender.

Explosions were heard in Iran's capital as Israeli warplanes pounded Tehran overnight and into Wednesday. Less than a week into the conflict, Israel says its aircraft have free rein over the city’s skies.