Middle East descends into full-scale war as Israel and Iran exchange hellfire and fury in apocalyptic scenes Iranian missiles rain down on Israel killing civilians as

After the downing of the Ukrainian airliner near Tehran in January 2020 by an IRGC missile, which killed all 176 people on board, Hajizadeh described the incident as an accident, took full responsibility, and stated that he would accept any punishment determined by the Iranian authorities.

President Trump spoke by phone Saturday with Russian strongman Vladimir Putin about the raging conflict in the Middle East, the Kremlin said.

They did not rule out a return to the negotiating track on Iran's nuclear program, a Kremlin spokesperson said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says rising global oil prices following Israeli strikes on Iran will strengthen Russia by increasing its oil revenues, aiding its war effort in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held phone calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian on Friday after Israel hit Iran in a series of strikes.

Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel on Friday night in retaliation for Israel's surprise attack early Friday. Israel struck at the heart of the Iran's nuclear program, killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials.

Russia and Israel have built a close political, economic and cultural relationship that helped them tackle delicate and divisive issues, including developments in Syria.

Launching weapons from within their territory forces adversaries to look not only outward but also inside for threats, one expert said.