Israel’s unprecedented attacks on Iran had at their core an elusive and high-risk goal: eradicating the country’s controversial nuclear program.

The two powers have been exchanging barrages since Israel attacked Iran and killed many of the country’s top military leaders and scientists.

Israel and Iran exchanged strikes for the third day amid stalled U.S.-Iranian nuclear talks, according to The Associated Press. Iran has been facing Israeli airstrikes for the past three days,