Iran–Israel war

The Iran–Israel war (also known as the Twelve-Day War) began following the Israeli strikes against Iran on 13 June 2025 with an operation named Operation Rising Lion. This is the first time both countries went to a direct conflict since 2024 but on a massive scale. Iran responded by sending ballistic missiles against Israel (codenamed Operation True Promise III), mostly in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. As of 24 June, 610 were killed in Iran and 29 were killed in Israel.

This conflict happened when Israel is participating in the Gaza war, in which Iran supports the Palestinian movements and the organization Hamas. Iran has also been accusing Israel of killing Palestinian civilians (see Israeli war crimes in the Gaza war). Both sides once struck each other in April 2024 and another in October 2024 but escalated in 2025. Many Iranian generals and scientists worked for the nuclear program had been killed by Israeli strikes.

The United States, under U.S. President Donald Trump, has expressed concerns about the situation in the Middle East. The US is a major ally of Israel and has supported Israel for many decades, the US has participated in shooting down Iranian missiles and has officially joined the war with Israel against Iran on 22 June. Before the Israeli attack, the US and Iran were negotiating over nuclear peace agreement. Iran pulled out after the attack. On 23 June, Iran struck an air base in Qatar to respond the US' attacks the day before. In the same day Trump said that both Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire, although both countries have violated it later and even Trump accused both but since then none have attacked each other.

The Houthis, an Iran-backed movement and military organization in Yemen, has shown support for Iran ever since the attack happened. On 22 June, after the US strikes on Iran, Houthi cancelled the ceasefire that it has reached with the US made by President Trump.

Most countries have criticized Israel's first attack and had told its citizens to leave both countries in case of safety. Israel warns that no citizens should leave the country and must stay inside the country. Israel has began evacuating people as the situation worsen. Many people claimed this war to be the first stage of the Third World War.

 Background 

Since the 1979 Iranian revolution, the relationships between Iran and Israel have changed from friends to enemies. Iran has called for a total destruction for Israel multiple times. Iran also wants to build nuclear warheads, which Israel fears that it could send a massive threat against Israel's security. During the Gaza war, Iran has accused that Israel is killing innocent people, particularly Palestinians, making tensions rise.

On 1 April 2024. Israel struck Iranian embassy in Damascus, killing 12 Iranians. Iran then responded by sending drones and missiles to Israel, Israel said it shot down 99 percent Iranian drones and ballistic missiles. On 19 April, Israel retaliated and began attacking Iranian sites and airports. Iran later told no retaliation was planned.

The situation happened again in October where Iran bombed Israel to respond the assassination of the Iran-backed terrorist organization Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh. Israel then responded by a bombing operation on Iran on 26 October. This will not happen again until June 2025.

 Timeline 
 13 June 

On 13 June 2025, Israel struck the city of Tehran in a surprise attack, heavily damaging nuclear site and civilians. Israel said the attack was to stop Iran's nuclear program.

 14 June 
 15–16 June 
On the 15 or 16 of June, it was widely reported and confirmed that Israel tried to assassinate the President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian via a strike on a building where Pezeshkian was having a meeting with top Iranian officials. The target used six missiles or bombs to target the entrances and exits of the building in an effort to block escape routes and disrupt air circulation. However, Pezeshkian was able to escaped through an emergency exit that was planned before. According to sources, Pezeshkian had a minor injury because of the Israeli strike.

 17 June 
 18 June 
 19 June 
On 19 June, Iran struck a hospital in southern Israel as Israel struck nuclear sites in Iran, causing sereve damages. Israel vows to intensify after Iran's attack and calls for an assassination on Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. Another offensive struck major cities including Tel Aviv and Be’er Sheva, damaging the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange building. Reports noted 27 missiles fired.Israelis warned to brace for daily strikes Retrieved 23 June 2025

 20 June 
Several missiles sent by Iran damaged Microsoft office in Israel, injuries had been reported. A rail station in Israel was closed after that. Iran then fired other 25 missiles, two people in Haifa, especially a teenager boy was injured by shrapnel and others had minor injuries. In Tehran, people protested to oppose Israel. During the war, a 5.1 magnitude earthquake hits northern Iran, causing significant damages.

 21 June 
After Iran launched numerous missiles, fires broke out in Tel Aviv and Holon. Also in the day an Israeli aircraft struck a residential building, killing a teenager. Explosions were heard in the skies of Tehran, Najafabad, Malard, and Isfahan.

 22 June 

On 22 June, the United States officially joined the war with Israel against Iran and sent B-2 bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan ordered by President Trump. Trump claims 1 site has been destroyed by the strikes. Iran says the United States will face consequences after the attacks and called the US strikes "a violation of international law". After the strikes, the Houthis said that it had cancelled the ceasefire that made with the US in May.

Iran launched 27 missiles at Israel with 11 sites being hit from the northern to the central coastal areas of Israel. Damages were reported in Tel Aviv and Haifa as tens of people were injured but some had minor. Many facilities hit including the Ben Gurion Airport according to Iran. The IDF said that 20 warplanes dropped 30 munitions against targets like ballistic missile sites and radars in Kermanshah and Hamadan, and an air defense system in the center of Tehran. Following U.S. strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities, Iran retaliated with combined ballistic missile and drone salvoes, launching over 100 drones and several dozen missiles toward Israel. Sirens sounded across Tel Aviv, Haifa, Jerusalem, and northern regions.Photos from Iran's missile attacks on Israel Retrieved 23 June 2025

 23 June 
Israel struck six airfields from western to central regions of Iran, targeting many facilities and properties. It destroyed 15 Iranian fighter jets and helicopters. Israel also targeted missile launchers and storage facilities in the city of Kermanshah. Iran shot down a Hermes 900 drone in Khorramabad. Iran launched 15 missiles toward Israel in several cities. Explosions were caught in Jerusalem, many sirens were activated for 30 minutes. IDF said that most missiles were shot down by air defenses. Iranian missile hit a public square in Haifa, 3 victims had minor injured.

Around 50 Israeli warplanes struck Tehran. It targeted locations like military command centers and infrastructure. Estimations shown that hundreds of IRGC fighters were killed. The same day US President Trump announces that both Iran and Israel have agreed to a ceasefire but Iran said no deals were made.

 Iranian strikes on Al Udeid Air Base 

On 23 June 2025, at approximately 19:39 (Arabia Standard Time), Iran struck the military base Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar in response to the US' attacks on Iranian nuclear sites the day before. It was the second time Iran struck a US military site since 2020.

 24 June 
Both Iran and Israel said they have agreed to a ceasefire made by President Trump. Still, Iran launched 20 missiles to Israel in 6 barrages, 4 people died in Beersheba and most buildings were heavily damaged. Israel said Iran has violated the ceasefire and continuing striking Iran. Trump threatens Israel if they break the agreement. Ultimately, both countries have violated the ceasefire until 25 June when both have officially agreed to a ceasefire.

 Reactions 

Countries like China, Russia, the United Kingdom, and France had told both to de-escalating the situation, and also attempting to return their citizens to go to their homeland for safety.
 Israel 
Israel has called for an assassination on Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, especially after many Iranian strikes over Tel Aviv, Jerusalem. The Israeli government has also compared the Iranian government to Nazi regime as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu compared Khamenei to "modern Hitler".

 Iran 
Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei has repeatedly called for a "total destruction" for Israel and said that Israel has violated international law. Iran has also rejected US President Trump's proposal over an unconditional surrender and threatens the US if they dare to step in the war.

 United States 
 Donald Trump 
US President Donald Trump has supported Israel's attacks on Iran and said Iran should not have nuclear weapons. Trump said that he knew where Khamenei hides and is considering sending troops to the Middle East. Trump claimed he has "controlled Tehran's skies" and called for an unconditional surrender for Iran, which Iran later rejected. Trump refuses Israel's plans to kill Khamenei. Many Republican individuals and congressmen are divided over Trump's decision.

 Related pages 
 Iranian consulate airstrike in Damascus
 April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel
 October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel
 June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran

 Notes 

 References 

 Other websites 


Category:June 2025 events
Category:2020s in Iran
Category:2020s in Israel
Category:History of the Middle East
Category:History of the Middle East by country
Category:Wars involving Israel
Category:Benjamin Netanyahu