Iran launched dozens of ballistic missiles toward Israel on Friday night in retaliation for Israel's surprise attack early Friday. Israel struck at the heart of the Iran's nuclear program, killing several nuclear scientists as well as high-ranking military leaders, according to Israeli officials.

Russia has maintained a delicate balancing act in the Middle East for decades, trying to navigate its warm relations with Israel even as it has developed strong economic and military ties with Iran.

Israel’s ongoing attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, generals, and scientists killed 78 people and wounded more than 320 on Friday, Iran’s ambassador told the U.N. Security Council, but he said “the overwhelming majority” of victims were civilians. Israel described the new wave of hostilities as the beginning of “Operation Rising Lion.”

Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel in separate barrages overnight Friday in response to airstrikes less than a day earlier that targeted nuclear sites and top commanders in the Islamic nation.

"This confrontation will not end with last night's limited actions and Iran's strikes will continue, and this action will be very painful and regrettable for the aggressors," Fars reported, citing senior military officials.