The death toll is rising as Israel and Iran traded missile strikes for a third straight day. The death toll grew Sunday as Israel and Iran exchanged missile attacks for a third consecutive day, with Israel warning that worse is to come.

Israel says it first bombed Iran to stop it from being able to produce nuclear weapons and the “existential threat” they would represent.

Oman and Qatar were leading efforts to begin ceasefire talks, while mediators said Iran was open to resuming nuclear negotiations if Israel’s attacks stop.

Iran has arrested dozens of people on suspicion of spying as fears grow in the Islamic Republic over the extent of its infiltration by Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.

Blasts rang out across a swath of the Middle Eastern republic’s territory, targeting its nuclear capabilities, military leadership and scientists.

Israel's airstrikes have deepened a climate of fear within Iran, where there is a shortage of reliable information. A woman in Tehran said one of the worst things about the attacks is that they usually come without warning.

Since Israel began its concerted attack on Iran on Friday, calls for regime change in Iran have grown louder – from hawks in the US Congress to Israeli officials and some Iranian activists abroad.