Experts suggest the U.S. has a strategic opportunity to leverage Iran's weakened position for a nuclear deal after Israel's targeted strikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites.

The Iranian and Israeli strikes mark the most sustained, direct attacks ever between the two rivals. Three people were killed in Israel and at least 78 in Iran, officials said.

Iran and Israel exchanged missile strikes on Saturday as the conflict sparked by Israel’s attack on its regional rival’s nuclear programme entered a second day.

The two sides were scheduled to meet for a sixth round of negotiations on Sunday. Oman, which was set to host the talks, said on Saturday that this round had been canceled.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was long considered Iran’s first line of defense in case of a war with Israel.

"Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire," President Donald Trump said Friday. The president has been steadfast in pursuing a new deal over Iran's nuclear program since returning to the White House earlier this year.

The decision comes as officials say they believe that Israel is preparing to launch a military attack on Iran. Tehran condemned the vote.

Iran has warned it will ramp up its nuclear activities after the United Nations nuclear watchdog’s 35-member board of governors adopted a resolution Thursday declaring it in breach of its non-proliferation obligations.