Israel launched strikes on Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear facilities, missile factories and killing the head of Iran's Revolutionary Guards and top nuclear scientists. The strikes came amid growing tension over Tehran's rapidly advancing nuclear programme and ahead of the sixth round of US-Iran nuclear talks on Sunday in Muscat, Oman.

Israel's "Operation Rising Lion" involved the use of more than 200 fighter jets and more than 100 drones to strike more than 100 targets across Iran on Friday morning, the Israeli military said.

Calling it a "decisive moment in Israel's history", Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said the country was also targeting Iranian nuclear scientists in an operation that would "continue as many days as it takes".

Iran, which vowed to retaliate, has long maintained that its nuclear-related activity is for peaceful purposes.

Israel declared a state of emergency in anticipation of retaliatory missile and drone strikes by Tehran.

"It's not a war, it's a decapitation operation and an operation to stop the nuclear programme... which has been progressing in a very dangerous way recently," Joshua Zarka, Israel's ambassador to France told French radio on Friday. "We were obliged to stop this dangerous programme.

Israel did not warn France ahead of its attack on Iran because it is no longer as close an ally as it was before, the ambassador said, adding that the strikes would last days, but not weeks or months.

"The French state for a certain period is not as close as it was before," Zarka, who was previously in charge of the Iran dossier at the Israeli foreign ministry, told RTL radio.

"It's an ally but not to the point to be pre-warned of such an operation."

Here are some reactions from top officials and governments around the world.

Iran

Iranian state media have confirmed the deaths of top Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) commanders and senior nuclear scientists. Iranian media also reported 50 people, including women and children, had been injured.

"The Zionist regime has committed a crime in our dear country today at dawn with its satanic, bloodstained hands," Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said.

"That regime should anticipate a severe punishment. By God’s grace, the powerful arm of the Islamic Republic’s Armed Forces won’t let them go unpunished."

"With this crime, the Zionist regime has prepared for itself a bitter, painful fate, which it will definitely see."

United States

US President Donald Trump told Fox News he was aware Israel was going to conduct strikes on Iran before they happened and stressed that Tehran "cannot have a nuclear bomb", according to the US broadcaster.

"Tonight, Israel took unilateral action against Iran. We are not involved in strikes against Iran and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region" said US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

"Let me be clear: Iran should not target US interests or personnel."

United Kingdom

"The reports of these strikes are concerning and we urge all parties to step back and reduce tensions urgently. Escalation serves no one in the region," said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

"Stability in the Middle East must be the priority and we are engaging partners to de-escalate. Now is the time for restraint, calm and a return to diplomacy."

United Nations

"The Secretary-General condemns any military escalation in the Middle East," said a spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres. "He is particularly concerned by Israeli attacks on nuclear installations in Iran while talks between Iran and the United States on the status of Iran's nuclear programme are underway.

"The Secretary-General asks both sides to show maximum restraint, avoiding at all costs a descent into deeper conflict, a situation that the region can hardly afford."

Oman

Oman is mediating Iran-US talks over Tehran's nuclear programme, the sixth round of which is due to begin on Sunday in Muscat.

"Oman considers this act a dangerous, reckless escalation, representing a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter, the principles of international law. Such aggressive, persistent behavior is unacceptable and further destabilizes the regional peace and security."

"The Sultanate of Oman holds Israel responsible for this escalation and its consequences, and calls upon the international community to adopt a firm and unequivocal stance to halt this dangerous course of action."

Trump said after the strikes he was "still hoping" for talks.

Saudi Arabia

"Saudi Arabia expresses its strong condemnation and denunciation of the blatant Israeli aggressions against the brotherly Islamic Republic of Iran, which undermine its sovereignty and security and constitute a clear violation of international laws and norms."

(with newswires)