Experts say the artefact appears to bear the image of a female deity – likely representing a Shakta or Vaishnavite tradition – standing over two crouching lions.

Latest visuals from Iran’s capital, Tehran, show a massive cloud of smoke rising towards the sky: an indication of a fresh round of missile strikes by Israel.

Analysts have said Iran may opt to retaliate to Washington’s early Sunday attack by shutting the Strait, a waterway through which one-fifth of global oil output passes.