DUBAI—Iran has been urgently signaling that it seeks an end to hostilities and resumption of talks over its nuclear programs, sending messages to Israel and the U.S. via Arab intermediaries, Middle Eastern and European officials said.

Iran's state TV says the country has attacked Tel Aviv, Haifa, and other cities "with tens of Iranian missiles and drones". It also reports that the missiles have surpassed "layers of Israeli defence system" - the Israeli military has not yet commented.

The young girl sits on the dusty floor, clutching her father’s shoe close to her chest as she cries and screams in anger. Bisan Qwaider is unconsolable. Her father has just been killed while trying to get food for her and her 10 hungry siblings.

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

Smoke and missiles have lit up the skies in Israel and Iran in a fierce standoff triggered by fears over Tehran’s expanding nuclear program. Since June 13, hundreds of military strikes have been exchanged as the two nations remain locked in a conflict that shows no signs of abating.

But Israel's formidable and sophisticated military forces - with an arsenal largely, but not exclusively, provided by the United States - are enabling it to overpower a much larger enemy. The BBC looks at the military balance in the latest war in the Middle East.

Former Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant has encouraged the United States to help more with Israel’s Iran conflict, telling CNN’s Bianna Golodryga that President Donald Trump “has the option to change the Middle East and influence the world.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has forced many countries in the Middle East to close their airspace, as Israeli jets and Iranian exploding drones and missiles fly over their night skies.