The president had opposed Israeli action against Iran but came to believe that Israel had reason to act and that the U.S. would have to lend some support.

The retaliatory strikes came on Saturday, a day after Israel killed top Iranian military leaders and scientists and destroyed an aboveground nuclear enrichment plant near Natanz.

CONFLICT ENTERS FOURTH DAY: Israel and Iran have begun a new round of attacks, as the conflict between the two heavily armed rivals enters its fourth day.

Israel has launched blistering attacks on the heart of Iran’s nuclear and military structure, deploying warplanes and drones previously smuggled into the country to assault key facilities and kill top

It follows daytime attacks from both sides, with Israeli strikes in Tehran continuing and Iran firing more missiles towards Israel.

Israel and Iran opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict when Israel launched a major attack with strikes early Friday that set off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran. Israel said it targeted nuclear and military facilities,