Israel says it first bombed Iran to stop it from being able to produce nuclear weapons and the “existential threat” they would represent.

Oman and Qatar were leading efforts to begin ceasefire talks, while mediators said Iran was open to resuming nuclear negotiations if Israel’s attacks stop.

Israel unleashed airstrikes across Iran for a third day and threatened even greater force as some Iranian missiles evaded Israeli air defenses to strike buildings in the heart of the country.

Blasts rang out across a swath of the Middle Eastern republic’s territory, targeting its nuclear capabilities, military leadership and scientists.

Iran and Israel continued on Sunday their aerial attacks, which began Friday with a series of Israeli strikes on Iran.

Iran has arrested dozens of people on suspicion of spying as fears grow in the Islamic Republic over the extent of its infiltration by Israel’s Mossad intelligence service.

Mohammad-Reza Zafarghandi said in an update that an Israeli strike on Sunday on Quds Square in northern Tehran injured 59 civilians and killed 12 people, including a pregnant woman. That attack also ruptured a main water pipeline.