Shapiro served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for the Middle East until January—charged with, among other things, considering scenarios in which tensions between Israel and Iran escalated into all-out war and preparing U.

According to Iranian media, around 60 people, including 20 children, had been killed in an attack on a housing complex. At least three people were killed and several others were injured on the Israeli side as waves of missiles streaked across the Jerusalem sky.

Iran and Israel continued trading missiles and airstrikes on June 14, a day after Israel launched a sweeping air offensive against its old enemy.

Iranian officials have repeatedly denied seeking a nuclear weapon. The United States and Iran have held five rounds of negotiations toward achieving an agreement that would limit Iran's nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief, with a sixth round of talks scheduled for Sunday.

Israel's defense minister warned Saturday that ''Tehran will burn'' if Iran continues firing missiles on Israel after at least three people died and dozens were wounded Saturday morning, following a series of blistering Israeli attacks on the heart of Iran's nuclear program and its armed forces.

Republicans and some Democrats offered strong support for Israel’s move, but many Democrats called for de-escalation and warned of the consequences of a broader war.

Israel's initial assault used warplanes and drones to hit key facilities and kill top generals and scientists.

National security experts warn that Israel's attack on Iran shows why Chinese land and asset purchases in the U.S. pose a significant threat to American security.