France, June 14 -- Iran launched retaliatory missile and drone strikes on Israel into Saturday morning, killing at least three people and wounding dozens, after a series ofblistering Israeli attackson the heart of Iran's nuclear program and its armed forces.

Israel's assault used warplanes - as well as drones smuggled into the country in advance, according to officials - to attack key facilities and kill top generals and scientists. Iran's UN ambassador said 78 people were killed and more than 320 wounded in the attacks.

Israel asserted the barrage was necessary before Iran got any closer to building a nuclear weapon, although experts and the US government have assessed that Tehran was not actively working on such a weapon before the st...