Welcome to meet the press now.

I'm Kristen Welker in Washington following that breaking news and a dramatic military escalation in the Middle East.

This was the scene in Israel just a short time ago.

Air raid sirens blaring as the country's Iron Dome defense system intercepted missiles launched from Iran. Now, it's

unclear just how much damage has been done, but at least one building in Tel Aviv appeared damaged

and on fire as smoke billowed over parts of the city. Iran says it launched hundreds of missiles

as it begins its retaliation. Israeli officials say the number was less than 100. Now, it comes after

Israel launched a major series of overnight strikes targeting Iran's nuclear facilities and other

military targets. The strikes also killing Iran's top military commander and nuclear

scientists. Israeli military officials say last night's strikes were just the beginning of a multi-day

campaign. These were some of the images in Tehran from overnight as explosions rocked the capital

city. You saw that bright flash lighting up the city and these images of buildings in

Tehran on fire. Similar scenes playing out in other cities across Iran. You can see here,

fire and smoke billowing in the aftermath of a strike on the Natanz nuclear facility, Iran's

main enrichment center. In an early morning video address, Prime Minister Netanyahu called the military operations

a preemptive attack on Iran's nuclear program

and warned that the fighting could continue for days.

Moments ago, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion,

a targeted military operation to roll back the Iranian threat to Israel's

very survival.

This operation will continue for as many days as it takes to remove this threat.

Now as Prime Minister, I've made it clear time and again, Israel will never allow those who call for our annihilation

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