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By Stuart Ramsay, chief correspondent, in northern Iraq

Iraq is no different to any other country in the region - anxiously waiting to see what happens next after America's multiple bomb strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Where it differs is that Iraq - caught bang in the middle of the war between Israel and Iran, and now the United States - has to juggle its relationships with both Tehran and Washington DC.

The Shia Muslim dominated government of Iraq is close to Iran, and its influence on Iraq cannot be underestimated. 

Shia militia groups in Iraq, while nominally answering to Baghdad, take much of their guidance from Tehran, so their positions must be taken into consideration by the Iraqi government.

At the same time, Iraq needs the US because it provides stability and support in the region, and the US military remains the most potent force in stopping terror organisations like Islamic State rejuvenating themselves.

There are at least 2,500 American personnel stationed in Iraq, and the US has major interests here - as it does across the Middle East and Gulf states.

That US presence itself poses problems - Iran has threatened to attack American interests and personnel across the region.

A political advisor to Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei says the "game is not over" following US strikes on its nuclear sites.

Ali Shamkhani said existing "enriched materials, local expertise and political will" all remain despite the physical damage done.

He adds that the "operational initiative" is now in the "hands of the party that plays smart".

Despite international calls for Iran not to escalate the conflict in the Middle East, Tehran is furious following US strikes.

Iran's foreign minister Abbas Araghchi warned that the US strikes "will have everlasting consequences" and that Tehran "reserves all options" to retaliate.

Speaking today, he said the US and Israel had "blown up" any chance of nuclear negotiations and asked: "How can Iran return to something it never left, let alone blew up?"

He's also called for condemnation of the attacks from the UN Security Council at an emergency meeting.

Levels of retaliation 

Iran's Revolutionary Guard has already said it launched 40 missiles at Israel this morning, including its biggest ballistic missile, the Khorramshahr-4.

Missile hits were reported at sites in northern and central Israel, including in Haifa, Ness Ziona, Rishon LeZion and Tel Aviv.

The Iranian parliament is also moving to close the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state-owned media. 

This move that would have global ramifications by disrupting the flow of large amounts of oil and gas, as well as other trade.

Direct retaliation against the US could include attacks on US bases, warships and aircraft in the region, though Iran's ability to launch missiles and drones has been severely degraded by Israeli strikes over the last two weeks.

The leaders of the E3 group have urged Iran not to "destabilise the region" in its response to US strikes.

Sir Keir Starmer, Germany's Friedrich Merz and France's Emmanuel Macron discussed the latest developments in the Middle East earlier today, according to a statement.

"We call upon Iran to engage in negotiations leading to an agreement that addresses all concerns associated with its nuclear program," the leaders say.

"We stand ready to contribute to that goal in coordination with all parties. We urge Iran not to take any further action that could destabilise the region."

If you're just joining us, here's the story at a glance:

• The US joined Israel's conflict with Iran last night by bombing nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan;
• Donald Trump said the strikes were a "spectacular military success" and warned Iran further attacks would follow if it didn't now move towards peace;
• The UN's nuclear watchdog said it was unclear what damage had been done at Fordow, but the Natanz site was now "completely destroyed" and Isfahan suffered "very significant damage";
• Iran has branded the attacks "outrageous" and "criminal",  while its parliament has reportedly suggested closing the Strait of Hormuz in response;
• Israel has continued its strikes in Iran following the US attacks, targeting dozens of sites across the country.

Before and after satellite images of Iran's Isfahan and Natanz nuclear sites show the damage after US strikes.

Earlier, the head of the UN's nuclear watchdog said the Natanz facility had been "completely destroyed", while its underground halls "suffered a lot" (see 16.15 post).

Israeli strikes in the last two weeks had already damaged Iran's largest uranium enrichment centre there.

As you can see below, US strikes have now completely reshaped the terrain at Natanz, leaving a giant crater over the site's underground facility.

IAEA chief Rafael Grossi also said the Isfahan site had suffered "very significant damage".

General Dan Caine, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, said a US submarine launched more than two dozen Tomahawk cruise missiles at the Isfahan site.

The images below show the damage at the site today, with blackened scorch marks left in place where buildings stood yesterday.

To see before and after comparisons of the third site struck by US bombers - Fordow - see our 14.10 post.

Donald Trump has taken to Truth Social this evening to proclaim his Republican Party is united in a way "never seen before".

The US president has received plenty of support from within his own party following his decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities.

But there has also been at least two GOP politicians suggesting it was unconstitutional for him to bomb Iran without approval from Congress.

Ohio representative Warren Davidson said it was "hard to conceive a rationale" that the strikes were constitutional, while Kentucky representative Thomas Massie made similar comments.

Some Democrats have called for Trump to be impeached over the unapproved military action.

The Israeli military says it's struck storage facilities deep into Iran containing its long-range Khorramshahr missiles.

The air force said the attack was launched "in broad daylight" and was the "furthest target we've struck to date" in Iran.

It said the storage facilities were located in the Yazd area of central Iran.

"We destroyed Khorramshahr missiles before they were launched at Israel and struck tunnels used to store the missiles," the update says.

The head of the UN's nuclear watchdog says he doesn't know the extent of damage at Iran's Fordow nuclear facility after US strikes.

"There are clear indications of impacts," International Atomic Energy Agency chief Rafael Grossi tells CNN, "but as for the assessment for the degree of damage underground, on this we cannot pronounce ourselves."

"No one could tell you how much it has been damaged," he says, adding that because of observed changes in the shape of the sites, "one cannot exclude that there is significant damage there."

Grossi says that the Natanz facility has been "completely destroyed," while its underground halls "suffered a lot" because of cuts to electricity as the result of Israeli attacks.

The Isfahan site has also suffered "very significant damage," he adds.

Grossi will convene an emergency meeting between the IAEA's governors tomorrow "in light of the urgent situation in Iran".

Pope Leo has joined the calls for diplomacy to return to the Middle East following another night of conflict in the region.

The pontiff said news of the overnight strikes in Iran was "alarming", calling on every member of the international community to condemn the violence.

"There are no 'distant' conflicts when human dignity is at stake," he said on X.