Israel and Iran continue to exchange intense strikes

In the Middle East.

Israel and Iran continue to trade fierce fire over Tehran's nuclear weapons ambitions that Israeli authorities assert threaten their security.

Lee Eun-hee has the latest.

Israel and Iran continue to exchange missile strikes as the conflict between the two countries enters its fourth day.

Overnight Monday, Israel carried out renewed airstrikes targeting surface-to-surface missile sites in western and central Iran.

Multiple large explosions, including at a foreign ministry building, rocked Tehran, with energy infrastructure also hit.

Iran launched a new wave of missiles and drones at Israel late on Sunday.

The operation involved hundreds of ballistic missiles aimed at homes and infrastructure, Iran's semi-state Mehr News reported.

Iran's national news agency confirmed the death of the intelligence chief of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps and two other generals in Israeli attacks on Sunday.

Tehran's health ministry on the same day said the death toll in Iran has surpassed two hundred.

It also said over a thousand people had been hospitalized.

Authorities in Israel say at least 14 people have been killed since the strikes began.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told Fox News on Sunday that the goal is to eliminate Iran's nuclear and missile threats.

He also said that while not the main objective, the attacks could lead to regime change in Iran.

"It could certainly be the result because the Iran regime is very weak. I think it is basically left with two things, its plan to have atomic bombs and ballistic missiles. That is basically what Iran has. They certainly don't have the people. Eighty percent of the people would throw these theological thugs out."

During a cabinet meeting also on Sunday, Iran's President warned that his country's response would become more severe if Israeli attacks escalate.

"We will give a powerful response to any aggression they may commit."

U.S. President Donald Trump shared his feelings while speaking to reporters, saying, "it's time for deal and we'll see what happens, but sometimes they have to fight it out."

Meanwhile, U.S. oil prices rose by around 3 percent on Sunday after Israeli strikes hit oil and gas facilities in Iran.

Lee Eun-hee, Arirang News.