The Israeli military said Monday that it can now fly over the country's capital, Tehran, without facing major resistance after crippling Iran’s air defenses in recent strikes, enabling Israel to hit an expanding range of targets with relative ease.

Israel said Tuesday that they killed Iran’s wartime chief of staff Maj. Gen. Ali Shamdani, a close ally of Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Israel stunned Iran last week with an intelligence and military operation years in the making that struck high-level targets with precision.

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

The Iranian military's new head of emergency command was killed in an Israeli Air Force strike only four days after his predecessor was killed in the initial hours of Israel's strikes targeting Iran's nuclear program.

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Israel appeared to be expanding its air campaign against Tehran five days after its surprise attack on Iran’s military and nuclear program, as U.S. President Donald Trump posted an ominous message warning residents of the capital to evacuate.

The death toll is rising as Israel and Iran traded missile strikes for a third straight day. The death toll grew Sunday as Israel and Iran exchanged missile attacks for a third consecutive day, with Israel warning that worse is to come.