Washington, June 22 -- America officially joins Israel's war, raising fears of wider conflict

The United States on Sunday bombed three nuclear sites in Iran, officially joining Israel's war against the country and heightening fears of a dramatic escalation in the region. Hours after American warplanes and submarines struck the Iranian nuclear facilities, Iran and Israel exchanged missile attacks.

Iran's Atomic Energy Organisation confirmed strikes on three of its nuclear sites and declared that it would not allow the attacks to halt the development of its "national industry" - a veiled reference to its nuclear programme.

The agency also condemned the strikes as violations of international law but did not specify the extent of the damag...