Israel’s military said it has begun stationing troops in “all combat arenas” throughout the country as its attack on Iran continued and it braced for retaliation.

Israel has gutted Iran's nuclear and military leadership in one blow, leaving Tehran with few options to retaliate including an all-out war that it is neither equipped for nor likely to win, four regional officials said.

Israel sent Mossad commandos deep into Iran to destroy Iranian weapons systems during Israel's attack on nuclear and military targets, an Israeli security source said, while another official said Israel used a ploy to suggest the strike was not imminent.