Israel launched unprecedented strikes against Iran on Friday, targeting its nuclear program and military leaders.

The operation, “Rising Lion,” is aimed at stopping what Israel said was Tehran’s rapid progress in developing nuclear weapons. Its targets included Iran’s main enrichment facility in Natanz and what Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “the heart of Iran’s ballistic missiles program.” He said the operation would continue “for as many days as it takes” to eliminate Iran’s nuclear threat.

Several of the most important men in Iran’s military and nuclear program were killed in Israel’s strikes. Among them were Iran’s highest-ranking military officer and the head of its elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned that Israel will face “severe punishment” for the attacks, and Iran began retaliatory strikes on Israel on Friday. Iran insists its nuclear program is peaceful.

Editor's note: This gallery contains graphic images. Viewer discretion is advised.

Smoke billows from the Shahran oil depot, northwest of Tehran, Iran.
Smoke billows from the Shahran oil depot, northwest of Tehran, Iran.
AFP/Getty Images
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men inspect the damage at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak, Israel.
Ultra-Orthodox Jewish men inspect the damage at the site of an Iranian missile strike in Bnei Brak, Israel.
John Wessels/AFP/Getty Images
A mourner touches the shrouded body of a loved one killed in Israeli strikes in the Iranian city of Tabriz.
A mourner touches the shrouded body of a loved one killed in Israeli strikes in the Iranian city of Tabriz.
Matin Hashemi/AP
Israeli civil defense and emergency responders conduct nighttime search and rescue operations among damaged buildings after an Iranian missile strike in Qiryat Gat, Israel, on Sunday, June 15.
Israeli civil defense and emergency responders conduct nighttime search and rescue operations among damaged buildings after an Iranian missile strike in Qiryat Gat, Israel, on Sunday, June 15.
Tsafrir Abayov/Anadolu/Getty Images
Israeli soldiers search through the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, Israel.
Israeli soldiers search through the rubble of residential buildings destroyed by an Iranian missile strike in Bat Yam, Israel.
Baz Ratner/AP
A wounded man looks at his shirt following Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran.
A wounded man looks at his shirt following Israeli strikes in Tehran, Iran.
Amir Kholousi/WANA/Reuters
People take shelter at the side of a highway near Sha'ar HaGai, Israel, as sirens sound.
People take shelter at the side of a highway near Sha'ar HaGai, Israel, as sirens sound.
Jamal Awad/Reuters
Shops are closed in the Tehran Bazaar following the Israeli strikes.
Shops are closed in the Tehran Bazaar following the Israeli strikes.
Majid Asgaripour/WANA News Agency via Reuters
Motorists queue at a petrol station in Tehran after overnight Israeli missile strikes hit multiple fuel depots in the area.
Motorists queue at a petrol station in Tehran after overnight Israeli missile strikes hit multiple fuel depots in the area.
Atta Kenare/AFP via Getty Images
Flames rise from an oil storage facility after it was struck by an Israeli missile in Tehran.
Flames rise from an oil storage facility after it was struck by an Israeli missile in Tehran.
Vahid Salemi/AP
A Jewish man prays as he takes shelter during sirens warning of incoming fire in Jerusalem on Saturday, June 14.
A Jewish man prays as he takes shelter during sirens warning of incoming fire in Jerusalem on Saturday, June 14.
Maya Alleruzzo/AP
Rescue personnel work at an impact site after a missile attack from Iran in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Saturday.
Rescue personnel work at an impact site after a missile attack from Iran in Rishon Lezion, Israel, on Saturday.
Ammar Awad/Reuters
A satellite image shows Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Saturday after it sustained heavy damage from Israeli strikes.
A satellite image shows Iran's Natanz Nuclear Facility Saturday after it sustained heavy damage from Israeli strikes.
Maxar Technologies
Shattered windows and structural damage are seen in Rishon Lezion on Saturday.
Shattered windows and structural damage are seen in Rishon Lezion on Saturday.
Faiz Abu Rmeleh/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
People embrace outside their damaged home in Rishon Lezion on Saturday.
People embrace outside their damaged home in Rishon Lezion on Saturday.
Ohad Zwigenberg/AP
An explosion is seen during a retaliatory attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday, June 13.
An explosion is seen during a retaliatory attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, on Friday, June 13.
Tomer Neuberg/AP
Police officers patrol the streets in Tel Aviv following an airstrike.
Police officers patrol the streets in Tel Aviv following an airstrike.
Ilia Yefimovich/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP
Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a strike in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Firefighters inspect the aftermath of a strike in Ramat Gan, Israel.
Ilia Yefimovich/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP
Families shelter in bunkers in Ashkelon, Israel, on Friday.
Families shelter in bunkers in Ashkelon, Israel, on Friday.
Tsafrir Abayov/Anadolu/Getty Images
People inspect the aftermath of a strike in Ramat Gan, where several cars and buildings were destroyed.
People inspect the aftermath of a strike in Ramat Gan, where several cars and buildings were destroyed.
Ilia Yefimovich/Picture-Alliance/DPA/AP
Israel's Iron Dome defense system is used to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv as Iran began retaliatory strikes on Friday night.
Israel's Iron Dome defense system is used to intercept missiles over Tel Aviv as Iran began retaliatory strikes on Friday night.
Leo Correa/AP
A police officer walks past a destroyed residential building after Israeli strikes in Tehran on Friday.
A police officer walks past a destroyed residential building after Israeli strikes in Tehran on Friday.
Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/AP
Damage is seen inside a building in Tehran on Friday.
Damage is seen inside a building in Tehran on Friday.
SABA/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
Thousands gather in Tehran's Enqelab Square to protest Israel's attack.
Thousands gather in Tehran's Enqelab Square to protest Israel's attack.
Fatemeh Bahrami/Anadolu/Getty Images
Residential buildings are damaged in Tehran.
Residential buildings are damaged in Tehran.
SABA/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images
A patient is tended to inside the sheltered parking facility of the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. The country was bracing for Iran's retaliation.
A patient is tended to inside the sheltered parking facility of the Sourasky Medical Center in Tel Aviv. The country was bracing for Iran's retaliation.
Itai Ron/Reuters
People inspect a destroyed vehicle in Tehran.
People inspect a destroyed vehicle in Tehran.
Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Emergency workers inspect a residential complex that was damaged in Tehran.
Emergency workers inspect a residential complex that was damaged in Tehran.
Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images
Men stand outside a destroyed residential building in Tehran on Friday.
Men stand outside a destroyed residential building in Tehran on Friday.
Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images
A street in Jerusalem is empty Friday amid fears of a retaliatory attack.
A street in Jerusalem is empty Friday amid fears of a retaliatory attack.
John Wessels/AFP/Getty Images
Worshippers chant slogans as they attend Friday prayers at Tehran University.
Worshippers chant slogans as they attend Friday prayers at Tehran University.
Vahid Salemi/AP
The Western Wall in Jerusalem stands nearly empty Friday as Israel's Home Front Command banned public gatherings.
The Western Wall in Jerusalem stands nearly empty Friday as Israel's Home Front Command banned public gatherings.
Mahmoud Illean/AP
A man loads groceries in the back of his car as he stocks up with supplies in Tel Aviv on Friday.
A man loads groceries in the back of his car as he stocks up with supplies in Tel Aviv on Friday.
Maya Levin/AFP/Getty Images
People look at damage in Tehran on Friday.
People look at damage in Tehran on Friday.
Arash Khamooshi/The New York Times/Redux
A girl in Hadera, Israel, runs to a bomb shelter on Friday.
A girl in Hadera, Israel, runs to a bomb shelter on Friday.
Ariel Schalit/AP
A loader works at the scene of a destroyed residential building in Tehran on Friday.
A loader works at the scene of a destroyed residential building in Tehran on Friday.
Morteza Nikoubazl/NurPhoto/Getty Images
People look out at the skyline in Tehran after the airstrikes early on Friday.
People look out at the skyline in Tehran after the airstrikes early on Friday.
Arash Khamooshi/The New York Times/Redux
Debris and rubble are seen in Tehran after the Israeli attack on Friday.
Debris and rubble are seen in Tehran after the Israeli attack on Friday.
Meghdad Madadi/Tasnim News/AFP/Getty Images
A child is carried through a street in Tehran after hearing explosions early on Friday.
A child is carried through a street in Tehran after hearing explosions early on Friday.
Arash Khamooshi/The New York Times/Redux
Smoke rises after Israel's wave of airstrikes on Tehran.
Smoke rises after Israel's wave of airstrikes on Tehran.
SAN/Middle East Images/AFP/Getty Images