The mounting destruction and death toll in the conflict between Israel and Iran is raising fears of broader escalation, with the United States caught in the conundrum of military involvement in the Middle East's most perilous confrontation since the Gulf War.

Tehran said American bases in the Middle East could face reprisals if the U.S. helped repel Iranian attacks on Israel.

TENSIONS CONTINUE TO RISE BETWEEN ISRAEL AND IRAN AS MORE ATTACKS ARE CARRIED OUT. NOW, THIS IS THE AFTERMATH OF TEL AVIV AFTER IRAN LAUNCHED ANOTHER WAVE OF MISSILE ATTACKS. MORE THAN 225 PEOPLE HAVE BEEN KILLED SINCE THE ATTACKS BEGAN ON FRIDAY.

Iran has issued a stark warning to Britain, France and the US – if they step in to defend Israel, they will be treated as enemies. Military bases in the Middle East would be targeted, while the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea will be turned into war zones with naval vessels attacked.