The UN has warned that Israel’s actions could amount to “crimes against humanity” as it said the war in Gaza had reached its “darkest moments…

Israel fired a barrage of missiles on military targets across Iran early on Saturday, as the IDF confirmed its forces had been “fully mobilised”.

Explosions were reported in the capital Tehran, Isfahan, home to a military base, a missile production and several nuclear sites, and Mashhad, where an Iranian airfield is located.

A second wave of missiles was unleashed an hour after the initial strikes, with explosions reported in the central city of Shiraz.

The operation, which the IDF claimed involved 100 fighter jets and codenamed “Days of Repentance”, has now concluded. Israel is reported to have warned Iran in advance of the strike not to respond.

Iran’s national air defence headquarters confirmed Saturday that Israeli forces struck military facilities across three provinces while claiming their air defences largely repelled the attack.

The strikes will fuel fears within the West that the conflicts in the Middle East could escalate into an all-out war. Iran has vowed an “appropriate reaction” to the strike.

Beyonce has appeared at a Texas abortion rights rally to campaign for Kamala Harris, claiming the vice president can bring “unity” to the US.

The Single Ladies singer urged voters to “sing a new song” because “the old notes of discord, despair, no longer resonate” – apparently a reference to Donald Trump, whom she did not mention by name.

She told the crowd in Houston on Friday evening: “Our generations of loved ones before us are whispering a prophecy, a quest, a calling, an anthem.

“Our voices sing a chorus of unity. They sing a song of dignity and opportunity. Are y’all ready to add your voice to the new American song? Because I am.”

Beyonce was introduced to the stage by her mother, Tina Knowles, and was accompanied by her former Destiny’s Child band member, Kelly Rowland.

Rowland said she had already cast her ballot for Ms Harris and Tim Walz, the Democratic vice presidential hopeful, two days ago.

“We are grabbing back the pen from those who are trying to write an American story of division and hatred… from those who are trying to write an American story that would deny the right for women to make our own decisions about our bodies,” she told the rally.

Ms Harris followed them onto the stage, saying she was in Texas – widely expected to vote for Trump in the forthcoming presidential election – because it had “one of the most restrictive abortion bans” in the US.

She claimed that her Republican opponent “was able to erase half a century of hard fought progress for women” in his four years in office, appointing three members of the Supreme Court, which went on to overturn Roe v Wade.

Ms Harris signalled that she believes the subject of abortion rights is a major liability for Trump, calling it “one of many critical contrasts” between the two of them.

Earlier in the night, Willie Nelson, the country singer, performed to Ms Harris’ supporters. “We ready to say Madam President?” he asked, before launching into his first song: “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to Be Cowboys.”

Ms Harris has leaned heavily on her celebrity backers to energise supporters with polling day under two weeks away,

At a rally in Atlanta, Georgia on Thursday, the actor Samuel L. Jackson along with filmmakers Spike Lee and Tyler Perry spoke on her behalf.