Iran–Israel War

The Iran–Israel War is an ongoing armed conflict between Iran and Israel. Active hostilities broke out amid poor relations between Iran and Israel, negotiations between Iran and the United States over Iran's nuclear ambitions, and a shift in the strategic balance in favor of Israel resulting from successful attacks on the Iran-led Axis of Resistance. Israel launched a surprise attack on dozens of locations across Iran starting on 13 June 2025 with the stated aim of destroying Iran's nuclear program. The opening hours of the war involved targeted killings of Iranian leadership and nuclear scientists, airstrikes on nuclear and defense facilities, and destruction of Iran's air defenses. Iran retaliated by launching missiles at military sites and cities in Israel.

The conflict is considered an escalation of decades-long animosity between the two countries, during which Iran challenged Israel's legitimacy and called for its destruction, while Israel considered the Iranian nuclear program an existential threat. During the crisis in the Middle East that followed the October 7th attacks of 2023 and the ensuing Gaza war, animosity escalated to direct confrontation. Israel weakened Iranian proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah and began planning action against Iran. The countries traded strikes in April and October 2024. The Israeli attacks of June 2025 began the day after the expiration of a two-month deadline that U.S. president Donald Trump had set for securing a deal to keep Iran from developing a nuclear bomb.

The Israeli attacks killed several of Iran's military leaders, leaders of the Iran Revolutionary Guard Corps, top nuclear scientists, and more than 200 Iranian civilians, according to the Iranian health ministry and the Human Rights Activists in Iran nonprofit group. Airstrikes destroyed the overground section of the Natanz nuclear facility (though the underground area was not destroyed) and damaged Isfahan's uranium conversion facility, but apparently failed to damage the underground Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant. Israel also hit a missile complex near Tabriz, the Kermanshah Underground Missile Facility, and IRGC facilities near Tehran and in Piranshahr. The attacks also damaged public infrastructure. The first wave of Iranian retaliation included about 100 missiles, the IDF said; more missiles came in the subsequent waves of strikes. Additionally, Iran launched more than 100 drones at Israel on the first day. Iran's attacks have killed about 24 people, all civilians, according to the Israeli government.

The Israeli attacks were condemned by countries across the Islamic world (including Jordan, Turkey, Pakistan, and Egypt). In addition, China, Russia, Brazil, South Africa, Cuba and Bolivia denounced the Israeli strikes as a violation of international law. However, they were praised by some Iranian opposition groups, the United States, and Germany, who urged Iran to agree to a nuclear deal promptly. A number of Western countries reiterated that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, condemned the violence and called on both Israel and Iran to de-escalate, with countries like France, Canada, and the United Kingdom also stating that Israel had a right to self-defense. The United Nations expressed concern and called for restraint.

Background

Iran–Israel opposition

Israel enjoyed a close relationship with the Pahlavi monarchy until the 1979 Islamic Revolution. This revolution led to Ruhollah Khomeini and his religious followers gaining power to rule Iran, where they ended cooperation with Israel, accusing Israel of imperialism and denouncing Israel for occupying Palestinian territories. As time passed, Iran tried to win Arab support by increasingly antagonizing Israel. What followed was Iran's theocratic government pledging to destroy Israel. Israel has repeatedly claimed Iran's nuclear program will allow it to develop a nuclear weapon and pose an existential threat to Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly, and falsely claimed, Iran would have a nuclear weapon that could threaten his country for over three decades with timelines that have passed without his allegations bearing fruit.

In 2024, the two countries attacked each other openly and directly for the first time following decades of proxy conflict. In April 2024, an Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus killed Iranian officers. Iran retaliated with strikes on Israel in April 2024, to which Israel then retaliated with strikes on Iran. In July 2024, Israel assassinated Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Iran's capital Tehran. In October 2024, Iran struck Israel, and Israel struck Iran.

Iranian nuclear program

Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited the Iranian nuclear program as the reason Israel preemptively struck Iran. Israel regards Iran's nuclear program to be a strategic threat; Israel is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons. Israel says it has the right to take military action against Iran's nuclear program if it believes it has become non-peaceful. In the mid-2000s, the US and Israel sabotaged Iranian nuclear facilities in Operation Olympic Games. The assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists in Tehran since 2010 is attributed to Israel.

In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), negotiated by President Barack Obama, the United Nations Security Council and Germany to manage Iran's civilian nuclear development at a limited level. In 2018, President Donald Trump, during his first presidency, suspended US participation in the deal and resumed economic sanctions on Iran, despite the report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran was keeping to the deal. Iran retaliated by increasing its uranium enrichment.

Following the assassination of Qasem Soleimani by the US in 2020, Iran said it would no longer abide by JCPOA's enrichment restrictions. By 2021, Iran was enriching uranium to 60% purity, similar to weapons-grade uranium. In March 2025, Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, testified that the US intelligence community, "continues to assess Iran is not building a nuclear weapon and Supreme Leader Khamenei has not authorized a nuclear weapons program". In May 2025, the IAEA reported that Iran had amassed 409 kg of 60% pure uranium, higher than required for civilian uses and close to military grade. In response, Iran announced a third nuclear enrichment facility, that would be put under IAEA monitoring. United States Central Command (CENTCOM) commander Michael Kurilla warned on 10 June 2025 that Iran was " 'weeks away' from nuclear weapons". A day before the Israeli strikes occurred, the IAEA found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years. Iran insists it does not seek nuclear weapons and Iranian supreme leader Ali Khamenei delivered a fatwa saying nuclear weapons are unethical.

The IAEA director general, Raffeal Grossi, stated in an interview with CNN in June 2025 that the IAEA did "not have any proof of a systematic effort to move into a nuclear weapon".

In April 2025, Trump announced negotiations between the US and Iran regarding Iran's nuclear program. The White House declared that Iran had two months to secure a deal, which expired the day before Israel's strikes.

Iranian ballistic missile program

Along with the Iranian nuclear program, the Iranian ballistic missile program is considered a threat by Israel. It was reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu believes Iran aims to produce 300 ballistic missiles each month, which he views as a direct threat to Israeli cities.

Axis of Resistance

Israel has fought wars with Iranian proxies including against Hezbollah in the 1982 Lebanon War. In the October 7 attacks in 2023, Hamas, an Iranian proxy in the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on Israel leading to war between Israel and Hamas and between Israel and other Iranian proxies such as Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. Over the war, the Iranian proxies were severely weakened. This is said to have weakened Iranian deterrence and increasing Iranian isolation.

Immediate prelude

On 12 June 2025, ABC News reported Israel was considering taking military action against Iran. US officials were told Israel was "fully ready" for an operation against Iran, according to CBS News. The Trump administration purportedly considered options to support Israel without leading the operation. The US Embassy in Jerusalem restricted the movement of its staffers the following day, though Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, said it was unlikely Israel would strike Iran without approval from the Trump administration. Prior to the airstrikes, Israel told the Trump administration it would not strike without first notifying the US. Trump spoke to Netanyahu on the eve of the attacks, and admitted having known in advance of Israel's planned actions. Officials in the UK's Foreign Office and Ministry of Defence were aware of Israel's intention to strike Iran, but it is unconfirmed whether a formal notification was provided by Israel. According to Israeli officials, the Israeli government asked the Trump administration to join them and help in the prelude of attacks. Right-wing figures, including Trump allies, questioned Israel's attacks and warned of a US war with Iran.

In the weeks leading up to Israeli attacks, its government faced international pressure over the high risk of famine in Gaza and killing of civilians. Even Israel's allies in Europe had become critical of the starvation in Gaza, and the EU had announced it would reconsider its free-trade deal with Israel. Political scientists stated that the attack on Iran provided a distraction from Israel's actions in Gaza. Nesrine Malik said the attack was an attempt by Israel to bring a Europe alienated by Israel's action in the suffering in Gaza back to its side. Israeli relations with Iran were a unifying factor between left-wing and right-wing Israelis. The day before the attack on Iran, Israel destroyed telecommunications infrastructure in Gaza, cutting off communications between Gaza and the rest of the world.

Choice of operation name

The name of the operation "Rising Lion" referred to the revival of the Lion and Sun, which was the emblem of Iran and its flag until the 1979 Islamic revolution. ''The Jerusalem Post'' reported that the name is derived from the biblical Book of Numbers (23:24): "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion."

Announcement

Netanyahu announced the launch of Operation Rising Lion, targeting Iran's main enrichment facility in Natanz, its nuclear scientists, and parts of its ballistic missile program. Netanyahu described Iran's nuclear efforts as "a clear and present danger to Israel's very survival", and emphasized that in acting, "we also defend our Arab neighbors" from Iranian aggression. He said the operation would continue "for as many days as it takes".

In a speech announcing the attack, Netanyahu said "For decades, the leaders of Tehran have openly called for Israel's destruction. They have backed up their genocidal rhetoric with a nuclear weapons program". Netanyahu said Israel attacked because "if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time." Following the attack, Netanyahu said Israel's war was against Iran's government and not its people. Netanyahu convened the security cabinet as the situation unfolded.

Strikes by Israel

13 June

Early morning

In the early hours of 13June 2025, the IDF attacked dozens of Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases and infrastructure installations, and key military commanders, including some targets, Israeli officials said, that were not anticipated by Tehran. By 06:30  IDT, the Israeli Air Force had launched five waves of air strikes, using more than 200 fighter jets to drop more than 330 munitions on about 100 targets. The fighter jets included multiple F-35I Adir fighters, the Israeli variant of the American F-35 Lightning II stealth strike fighter. The F-35I's were reportedly modified with low-observable conformal fuel tanks to enable them to have the range and endurance to conduct operations over Iran without compromising stealthy characteristics or requiring mid-air refueling. Israeli targets included the Natanz Nuclear Facility and other infrastructure of Iran's nuclear program. No nuclear accidents occurred as a result of the airstrikes, as operational nuclear reactors, such as the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and the Tehran Research Reactor, were not attacked. Although damaged nuclear centrifuges can release low-level radiation and industrial chemicals that can threaten on-site personnel, they can neither trigger nuclear explosions nor cause large-scale contamination of an area.

Meanwhile, the Mossad sabotaged Iran's air defense systems and missile infrastructure. An Israeli official said Mossad had smuggled precision weapons and established a covert drone base near Tehran, which were used to disable air defenses, securing air superiority for Israeli aircraft.

Around 03:00 local time, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz declared a nationwide state of emergency, warning of an imminent missile and drone retaliation. Warning sirens were activated across Israel in anticipation of a possible Iranian counterattack, though Iran would launch no ballistic missiles until the following evening. Katz further described Israel's attack on Iran as a "preemptive strike". According to the IDF, the action was prompted by intelligence indicating Iran had amassed enough enriched uranium to produce up to 15 nuclear weapons within days.

Explosions were reported across Tehran, including near military bases and in neighborhoods housing senior commanders. Eyewitnesses described enormous flames and repeated blasts. Fars News Agency, which is linked to the IRGC, reported that multiple homes were struck in Shahrak-e Mahallati, a neighborhood in eastern Tehran where high-ranking Iranian military officers and their families reside. The attack reportedly set on fire the IRGC headquarters in Tehran. Some residential complexes were hit during the attack, including ones that housed Iranian officers and officials. Reportedly, the strength of the explosions caused some buildings to collapse.

Blasts were reported at the Natanz Nuclear Facility, in Isfahan province, where one of Iran's most critical nuclear facilities is located. Iranian state TV confirmed "loud explosions" near the site, which houses two enrichment plants: the large underground Fuel Enrichment Plant (FEP) and the Pilot Fuel Enrichment Plant (PFEP) above ground. Nuclear sites at Khondab and Khorramabad were also targeted.

Afternoon

Israel conducted strikes in Tabriz in the early afternoon, reportedly targeting an area near Tabriz Airport. Shiraz and the Natanz Nuclear Facility were struck by Israel as well. Explosions also occurred at the Hamadan Airbase and the Parchin military base. Two explosions also occurred near the subterranean Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant, where an Israeli drone was reportedly shot down by Iranian air defenses. The IDF later confirmed striking the Hamadan and Tabriz airbases, asserting that it had "dismantled" the latter airbase and also destroyed dozens of Iranian drones and surface-to-surface missile launchers.

At 18:46 GMT, the IDF confirmed striking the Isfahan Nuclear Technology/Research Center, saying it was involved in the "reconversion of enriched uranium."

Iranian media reported that at least two Israeli fighter jets were downed over Iranian airspace and a female pilot was captured. The IDF denied this.

14 June

In the early morning of 14 June, Iranian media reported two projectiles, an explosion, then a fire, at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport. It also reported Iranian air defenses engaging Israeli projectiles above Isfahan and exchanging fire with Israeli drones on reconnaissance missions in northwestern Iran. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and IAF Commander Tomer Bar declared that "the way to Tehran has been paved." The IDF later said that it bombed an underground facility in western Iran used to store dozens of ballistic and cruise missiles.

Iran confirmed the deaths of General Gholamreza Mehrabi, deputy head of intelligence for the armed forces general staff, and General Mehdi Rabbani, deputy head of operations. Iran also claimed to have downed a total of three Israeli F-35 jets and captured two pilots. Iran's Ministry of Petroleum announced attacks on two oil fields in Bushehr province—the Phase 14 platform of South Pars Gas field and the Fajr Jam gas refinery—where fires halted the production of at least 12 million cubic meters of gas. The Red Crescent Society said Israel had attacked 18 of the 31 provinces of Iran.

At 23:11 local time, the IDF announced a new wave of strikes on "military targets" in Tehran. These attacks struck oil and gasoline depots, cut off electricity in the Shahran neighborhood, and hit Iranian Ministry of Defence headquarters and the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research building.

15 June

A strike was reported on the Ministry of Justice building in Tehran. The IAF said that it bombed a refueling plane at the Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport—around from its territory—in what was possibly the most distant operation in its history.

Israel struck surface-to-surface missiles in Iran as well as military bases. Israel also struck the Iranian foreign ministry. Missiles struck and killed the intelligence chief and the intelligence deputy chief of the IRGC.

Along with the airstrikes five car bombs detonated across Tehran, with explosions taking place next to government and nuclear-related sites. Iran's state-run news agency IRNA, citing informed sources, claimed that the operation was executed by Israel, even though an Israeli official denied any involvement.

The IDF warned Iranian civilians to evacuate from the areas surrounding weapon factories and military bases in Shiraz.

It was reported that Iran had sought mediation from Oman and Qatar to engage with the United States, aiming to halt the strikes and revive the stalled nuclear negotiations. Iran stated that they had arrested two individuals whom they claimed were members of Mossad.

16 June

In an interview with Sky News, Israeli president Isaac Herzog stated that Israel had "no other choice" but to attack Iran, and that the Israeli war cabinet was discussing Iran's supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, amid rumors that Trump vetoed an Israeli plan to assassinate Khamenei.

The IDF hit the command center of the Quds Force in Tehran. An Israeli official told the ''Wall Street Journal'' that there were indications that the underground nuclear facility in Natanz had "imploded". Iran International reported explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Fordow nuclear facility. IDF strikes were said to have taken place in the vicinity of the Parchin military installations. The IRGC's Ansar al-Mahdi Corps reported that one of its commanders and a soldier was killed in an attack in Ijrud County of Zanjan province. A news agency affiliated with the Iranian judiciary reported that an alleged agent for Israel, Ismail Fikri, was executed by hanging; the news agency reported that Fikri was in contact with two Mossad officers before his arrest.

The IDF said it has destroyed 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran and had achieved "full air supremacy" in Tehran's airspace. Brigadier-General Effie Defrin said that 30% of Iran's missile launchers have been destroyed. Netanyahu also said that Israel controls the skies of Tehran. He also did not rule out assassinating Khamenei, saying "It's not going to escalate the conflict, it's going to end it." The IDF said it destroyed a weapons convoy between Tehran and Qom.

IRNA reported that Israeli forces struck the Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, causing significant damage to the hospital and the buildings surrounding it. At least 15 buildings in the Kermanshah missile factory were hit by Israel. Israel bombed the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB during a live broadcast, sending anchors fleeing. It claims that the headquarters of the IRIB was used by the Iranian Armed Forces to promote military operations under civilian cover, which was denied by Iran. At least one IRIB employee was killed in the attack, while the station said its offices were struck by four bombs.

Israel issued evacuation orders to residents of some areas of Tehran. Israel hit Iranian missile launchers in western Iran. The IDF said one of its drones destroyed two Iranian F-14s. Nour News reported that Iranian forces claim to have shot down an F-35 over Tabriz. The IDF hit a building where several senior officials of Iran's intelligence organizations were staying, was targeted, killing Iran's intelligence chief and other key senior officials. Mohammed Kazemi, Hassan Mohaqeq, and Mohammad Khatami were confirmed to have been killed by the airstrike.

17 June

Trump called for the complete evacuation of Tehran, declared that "we now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran", and called for Iran's "unconditional surrender" while threatening to assassinate Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He also convened the US national security council. Vice President JD Vance has indicated that the United States may join the war against Iran.

The IDF assassinated Major-General Ali Shadmani just days after he was appointed as a commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters. After replacing Lt. Gen. Gholam Ali Rashid following his death, Shadmani became the highest ranking Iranian military commander, serving as Iran's "war chief of staff" and heading both the IRGC and the Iranian Armed Forces, according to the IDF. According to ''The Jerusalem Post'', Shadmani was killed alongside dozens of IRGC officers after they evacuated to a secret base hidden inside of the mountains outside Tehran.

Israel said that it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran, targeting missile launchers and UAV storage facilities. The IDF posted a video of their aircraft destroying Iranian F-14 fighter jets on the ground. It also showed a video of them destroying a rocket launcher holding three missiles. According to ''Mehr News Agency'', an Israeli rocket hit a checkpoint in Kashan, killing three people and injuring four others. Israeli forces struck a residential building in Tehran, according to IRNA, which also reported that three people were rescued from the rubble by the Red Crescent. Fars News Agency reported that the state-owned Bank Sepah was targeted in a cyberattack. According to reports from ''Iran International'' and other news outlets, the hacker group Predatory Sparrow has officially claimed responsibility for the cyberattack on the bank. Sepah Bank is reported to have deep connections to the IRGC and the Iranian Army.

The IAEA said that it is likely that underground facilities in Natanz were damaged by Israeli attacks. Israeli jets hit Iranian missile launchers in western Iran.

The Iranian Army claimed to have shot down 28 "hostile aircraft" including a spy drone. Israel denied the claims.

The IDF announced that it conducted heavy strikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers in Isfahan using 60 fighter jets, saying that missile sites in western Iran had been evacuated due to earlier attacks. The IDF said that 12 missile storage and launch sites were hit during the attacks.

18 June

The IDF said that 50 fighter jets struck around 20 buildings in Tehran, including factories producing raw materials, components and manufacturing systems for ballistic missiles. Iranian media said that IDF struck an IRGC-affiliated university and a missile factory in Khojir. The IDF also claimed to have destroyed 70 missile batteries. An unmanned IAF drone fell on Iran after it was shot down, no injuries were reported. Israel also attacked nuclear centrifuge production sites, with the IAEA confirming strikes on Karaj's TESA Complex and the Tehran Research Complex.

Iranian secret agents arrested five people allegedly affiliated with Mossad, accusing them of being "mercenaries" who "sow fear among the public".

Reports by the ''Wall Street Journal'' found that Israel was running out of Arrow missile interceptors.

On the morning of 18 June, a loud explosion was reportedly heard in Tehran, but Iranian officials have not confirmed the attack.

Israel hit sites in Tehran and issued an evacuation order for people in district 18 of Tehran. Iran's internal security headquarters was destroyed during the attacks, according to Israel. An Iranian Red Crescent building was also reportedly struck.

Iranian media reported that Iranian forces shot down a "hostile" F-35 jet in the Javadabad area of Varamin city.

IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir said “There is significant and direct learning here from the events of October 7, we are not waiting, we are preventing threats,”.

The IDF published a message in Farsi saying that it is receiving a lot of messages from Iranians which include "fear, despair, and anger over what is happening in Iran" and asked those who wish to contact Israeli should do so through a link to the Mossad website. The IDF message was described as unusual by Fabian.

In the afternoon, the IDF said that it had struck 40 military targets in western Iran, including a primed Emad missile launcher, missile storage sites, and soldiers, with 25 fighter jets. To date, IDF spokesperson Effie Defrin said that 1,100 targets in Iran had been struck by Israel. He added that five AH-1 helicopters were struck in Kermanshah in the morning. Later, the IDF said that it destroyed three more AH-1 helicopters. The IDF later announced that 60 fighter jets participated in a wave of strikes against 20 targets in Tehran, including weapon manufacturing facilities, centrifuge production sites, and nuclear research and development locations.

Casualties in Iran

Iranian health authorities reported 224 killed, adding that the majority of the casualties were civilians. US-based organization HRANA reported 408 killed, including 92 military members, 199 civilians and 117 unidentified dead.

Regional sources said that at least 20 senior commanders were killed in the strikes. Confirmed casualties include Iranian Armed Forces Chief of Staff, Major General Mohammad Bagheri, IRGC commander Hossein Salami, IRGC senior commander Gholam Ali Rashid, and IRGC commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh. The IDF said that a strike on an underground command center killed most of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Aerospace Force's leadership after they had convened for a meeting, including IRGC air force commander Amir Ali Hajizadeh as well as the leaders of the IRGC's air defense and drone units. In total, the IDF reported killing at least six senior military commanders—Bagheri, Salami, Ali Rashid, Hajizadeh, IRGC air defense unit commander Davoud Shaykhian, and IRGC drone unit commander Taher Pour. ''The New York Times'' reported the death of Quds Force commander Esmail Qaani, although Israel believes that he is still alive. According to Netanyahu, IRGC intelligence chief Mohammad Kazemi and his deputy, Hassan Mohaqeq, were killed.

Nuclear scientists Fereydoon Abbasi and Mohammad Mehdi Tehranchi were also killed, according to Iranian state media. Tasnim News Agency later added four more scientists who were killed. Israel named nine nuclear scientists who it said were killed, including successors to Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, the chief of Iran's nuclear program who was assassinated in 2020. Two regional sources reported on 15 June that the death toll of Iranian nuclear scientists rose to 14, including some killed in car bombings.

Civilians, including women and children, were among the casualties identified. Tasnim News Agency reported that over 50 people were injured in Tehran's northern district of Tajrish, including 35 women and children who were taken to Chamran Hospital. The governor of Iran's north-western East Azerbaijan province said 31 people were killed during the first day's strikes in the province, including 30 soldiers and one member of the Iranian Red Crescent Society. France 24 interviewed several people inside Iran who said civilians were among the victims of the Israeli attack. Iranian hospital staff reported that children were killed in the Israeli attacks.

The Iranian army has claimed to have downed three Israeli fighter jets, allegedly killing one pilot and capturing the other. To date, no evidence has surfaced confirming these claims, while at least one video and one image purporting to show the downing of Israeli F-35's have been debunked as disinformation. The IDF has repeatedly denied claims of air force casualties or damage. Due to the absence of bomb shelters in Tehran, Iranians were instructed to shelter in underground parking lots.

Iran was reported to have executed Esmail Fekri by hanging on 16 June 2025, after being convicted of passing sensitive intelligence to the Mossad.

Notable deaths

Strikes by Iran

After the attack, Iran promised a "harsh response" against Israel. It said that they were going to attack Israeli and US forces stationed in military bases across the Middle East. The US later evacuated some of its soldiers in Iraq and also authorized the evacuation of family members of US soldiers across the region. According to IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin, roughly more than 100 Shahed drones were launched by Iran and Iraq towards Israel in retaliation. Sirens were activated in Amman, Jordan's capital. Some of the drones were intercepted by the Royal Jordanian Air Force over Jordanian air space and some by the IAF over Saudi Arabia and Syria. Later, various Israeli sources said that an order for Israeli civilians to seek shelter was lifted, suggesting that a majority or all of the drones were destroyed. An intercepted drone fell on a house and wounded three people in Irbid, Jordan.

The Houthis also fired a ballistic missile from Yemen targeting Jerusalem, with it landing in Hebron, West Bank, injuring five Palestinians. At around 9p.m. local time—10 minutes before Iran launched dozens of missiles at Israel—Israeli citizens were given phone alerts warning about an incoming attack. Citizens were authorized to leave their shelters at around 10:10. Tel Aviv was targeted with Iranian missiles following during attack; while some missiles were intercepted by Israel, others were able to hit their targets in Tel Aviv, including an apparent direct hit on The Kirya military headquarters near Begin Road. Iran codenamed its counterattack "Operation True Promise 3", and said that it attacked dozens of targets, including military sites and airbases. The IDF estimated that around 150 ballistic missiles were fired in two waves during the attack. Magen David Adom reported that at least 63 Israelis were injured one critically, one seriously, eight mildly, and the rest lightly. A civilian woman critically injured later succumbed to her wounds. Seven soldiers were among the injured, receiving light wounds. The Israel Fire and Rescue Services rescued two people from a building struck in Tel Aviv, while the IDF's Home Front Command rescued another civilian from a building in the city. Despite this, there were no reports of significant damage from Iran's retaliatory strikes. On 17 June, Al Jazeera English reported that some Palestinians were excluded from Israeli bomb shelters.

Trump warned Iran against attacking American personnel or infrastructure, saying "If we are attacked in any way, shape or form by Iran, the full strength and might of the US Armed Forces will come down on you at levels never seen before." Rachel Reeves, British minister of finance told ''Sky News'' that Britain may help in Israel's protection.

14 June

On 14 June, at around 1a.m., Iran launched another barrage consisting of dozens of missiles, most of which were intercepted, according to an IDF spokesperson. Seven people were injured in the attack, one mildly. Two MDA ambulance workers were lightly hurt by broken glass after shrapnel hit their intensive care unit.

There were reports of a fifth missile barrage launched by Iran as Israel, with help of the US, intercepted incoming missiles. The number of injured civilians increased over 60, as several homes were reported heavily damaged. As a result of a direct hit on a building in Rishon LeZion at least two civilians were killed and over 20 others injured, including a 3-month-old baby who was rescued from the debris. The IDF later announced that Iran had fired 200 ballistic missiles since the night of 13 June, with around 25% of them hitting open areas. It asserted that a "small number" of missiles evaded air defenses and struck residential areas in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon LeZion, causing casualties.

According to reports, several Iranian missiles transited Syrian airspace en route to Israel, with at least two missiles falling in Daraa Governorate (southern Syria), prompting Damascus to halt flights due to regional instability. Reportedly, several Arab states have participated in shooting down Iranian drones, or sharing radar information to help in destroying them.

In the night, Iran fired another barrage of missiles targeting northern Israel, killing five people and injuring at least 23 others. The Home Front Command put out phone alerts at 11p.m., and citizens were cleared to leave shelters at 11:45. A ballistic missile hit a two-story house in Tamra, killing a woman and wounding 14 others. Four members of a family, including a woman and her two daughters, were killed in a separate missile strike. A fire also broke out near the BAZAN oil refinery in Haifa, where pipes and transmission lines were damaged.

15 June

On the morning of 15 June, Iran and the Houthis in Yemen launched ballistic missiles simultaneously, which led to impacts on buildings in Bat Yam and Rehovot, a mall in Kiryat Ekron, and in Tel Aviv. The strike in Bat Yam killed nine people, including three aged eight, 10 and 18, and one missing. Sixty-one buildings were damaged according to mayor Tzvika Brot. Around 200 people were injured, according to the MDA, several of which were serious. Five of the civilians killed in Bat Yam were Ukrainian nationals. Israel later declared that it intercepted most of the missiles and that the remainder failed to enter Israeli territory.

The Weizmann Institute of Science, a postdoc scientific research center in Rehovot, was hit by Iran. The Israeli Defense Ministry reported that central Israel was attacked by missiles coming from Yemen, which was later confirmed by the Houthis, stating that they used a number of Palestine 2 ballistic missiles in coordination with the Iranian military. Germany warned that Iran may target Jewish or Israeli communities in Germany, following which Germany increased security around relevant institutions.

Debris from Iranian missiles also hit two sites in the West Bank. At around 11:20a.m., a rooftop fire was caused by a Shahab-class missile in al-Bireh, a few meters from the home of Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. Three children were wounded by broken glass after debris from a missile intercepted over central Israel landed outside Sa'ir around 90 minutes later.

Later in the day, Iran fired a barrage consisting of several ballistic missiles at Israel, but no impacts or casualties were reported. Iran later fired a missile at an area in Caesarea, near the family home of Netanyahu. The IDF announced that the missiles were intercepted, with at least 50 rockets downed.

In the evening, Iran fired several barrages of missiles at Israel, injuring seven people in Haifa and one in Kiryat Gat, while also causing fires and property damage. An additional nine people were treated for panic attacks.

16 June

On 16 June, Iran launched another barrage of missiles against Israel. Missile fragments were reported to have caused damage to the U.S. Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv. A school in Tel Aviv as well as homes in Bnei Brak, Haifa and Petah Tikva were hit. Eight civilians were killed and over 90 were injured. Israel reported 287 people were hospitalized overnight. An elderly person was found dead beneath debris in Bat Yam. Haifa's oil refinery was also targeted, causing significant damage that forced it to shut down and killing three workers. According to Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft executive vice president Trita Parsi, successive Iranian missile attacks may have eroded Israeli defenses, allowing a larger percentage of missiles to get through than before. Following the attacks, Israel confirmed 24 fatalities to date, the majority of which occurred outside bomb shelters, and had tallied 350 Iranian missiles, clustering around 30–60 at a time.

''CNN'' reported Iran said it will not negotiate with the United States until it finishes its retaliation against Israel.

A drone fired toward the U.S. consulate in Erbil, Iraq, was intercepted. Iran fired ballistic missiles at Petah Tikva again, killing four people. One person was seriously injured, and 14 were moderately injured, including two children. Two missiles also hit Tel Aviv, destroying a number of buildings.

17 June

In the morning, Iran launched about 20 missiles at Israel, lightly injuring five people. CNN reported that the Iranian missiles had struck targets across Israel, hitting Tel Aviv as well as residential neighbourhoods in central city of Bat Yam in Israel, and the Palestinian-Israeli town of Tamra. Ynet reported that an Iranian missile struck the city of Herzliya, damaging a eight-storey building and setting an empty bus on fire. Explosions were heard in the Dan district of Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem. The ''Times of Israel'' reported Israel shot down 30 Iranian drones during the night between the 16 and 17 June. The IRGC claimed to have hit a military intelligence centre and a Mossad operations planning centre in Israel. An Iranian ballistic missile attack toward northern Israel during the evening was successfully intercepted by Israel.

The IDF said 40% of Iran's ballistic missile launchers have been destroyed. The IDF also said they believe that Iran is not able to mount large missile salvos against Israel because they are unable to coordinate large attacks due to the IDF hunting of missile launchers. The Institute for the Study of War in the US, noting that the five morning attacks had less fire than previous salvos, posited a degradation of Iran's missile forces.

18 June

Israel downed three Iranian drones during the night between 17 and 18 June.

By this date, the IDF estimated that Iran launched 400 missiles and 1,000 drones at Israel since the conflict began. It added that only 20 missiles impacted urban areas, causing far fewer casualties than Israel anticipated. Of the drones, less than 200 entered Israeli airspace, but none of them hit any targets.

Iran fired a single ballistic missile at Israel in the evening, setting off sirens in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area. According to the IRGC, the long-range Sejjil missile was used in the attack. One man was lightly injured when a fragment fell on his car after the missile was intercepted.

Casualties in Israel

Human losses

On 14 June, Magen David Adom reported that 63 people were injured in the Iranian ballistic missile strike one in critical condition, another in serious condition, and eight with moderate injuries, while the rest suffered minor wounds. One fatality was confirmed. In Tel Aviv, rescue teams pulled two individuals alive from a collapsed building. Later in the day Walla News reported three Israelis were killed and 172 injured. All three were killed in central Israel, in Ramat Gan and Rishon LeZion. Three Jordanian civilians were injured.

On 14 June, local media outlets reported that five Israelis were killed across northern Israel by Iranian missiles. Later reporting, however, mentioned four deaths.

On 15 June, it was reported that nine Israeli civilians were killed, nearly 200 were wounded and one remained missing as a result of a missile strike in central Bat Yam. An attack on Rehovot left 42 wounded.

On 16 June 2025, following Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Haifa and Tel Aviv, the death toll was reported to be eight, with approximately 100 individuals injured. On the same day, CNN reported casualties in Israel of 24 people killed and 592 wounded, with 10 of them in serious condition.

Material damage

A modern residential building in central Tel Aviv sustained serious damage. Fires broke out in multiple apartments, and smoke was seen rising from the structure. An adjacent building suffered major external damage, including shattered windows and twisted metal hanging from the facade. In Ramat Gan, several cars were found burned and three homes visibly damaged. A ballistic missile struck and damaged the vicinity of the Kirya, the IDF headquarters in Tel Aviv.

According to municipal authorities, nine buildings were completely destroyed in Ramat Gan, while hundreds of others sustained varying levels of damage. Approximately 100 residents were displaced from their homes due to the missile barrage.

Attacks on the following days resulted in further destruction.

Aftermath

Tasnim News Agency reported that Iranian authorities suspended flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport, although the facility itself was not directly affected by the attacks. Return flights were perforce canceled for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia. CNN reported that Iranians as of 15 June are fleeing major cities in Iran.

Flights were also suspended from Israel's airports and both Iraq and Jordan closed their airspace. Israel declared a state of special emergency, shut down its airspace, closed schools and banned large social gatherings. Israel also called up tens of thousands of IDF reservists in preparation for an Iranian retaliation. The IDF announced that all of its pilots involved in the strikes returned unharmed.

The Community Security Trust issued warnings to the Jewish communities in the United Kingdom and France. Jewish Community Protection Service asked French Jews to be "extremely vigilant". ''The Jerusalem Post'' reported the Anti-Defamation League was monitoring the situation within the United States. The NYPD said they are increasing security at Jewish sites across New York City. New York governor Kathy Hochul said that the state is closely monitoring the situation, increasing security at sensitive sites and cybersecurity operations. New York City mayor Eric Adams and Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said that they are deploying officers to Israeli embassies for protection, with Tisch saying: "That heightened deployment continued today and will continue for the next several days".

On 15 June, the US embassy in Iraq warned Americans may be targeted in attacks. The State Department issued a Level 4 Travel Advisory for Iraq.

On 17 June, ''CNN'' reported that India evacuated its students from Tehran through the Armenia–Iran border.

On 18 June, three Iranian government planes flew from Iran to Oman, one of those planes is the presidential plane.

Economy

The cost of the war on the Israeli economy is estimated to be around $285,000,000 a day, or 1,000,000,000 shekels a day. Estimates found that at the current rate of fire, Israel could only maintain missile defenses against Iran for 10-12 more days.
The strikes against Iran caused oil prices to increase by 7% on 13 June, later increasing to 11%, making them the highest in a month. The US dollar grew, bitcoin dropped to $103,000, and gold prices rose by over 1%. The Global Futures stock market fell; Dow futures lost 600 points. Stocks of various international airline companies significantly decreased after the attack. Stocks of Lufthansa dropped by 5%, while stocks of Air France, KLM and EasyJet fell by 3–4%. Reportedly, airlines stopped their operations over the airspace of Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, diverting some flights and canceling others. The ''New York Times'' reported that Iranians were waiting in lines for fuel and stocking up on basic food items.

Despite the onset of the strikes, Israeli stock indexes (TA35, TA90) rose on the first day of trading during the conflict. On 16 June, the Israeli shekel spiked +3.6%, reaching its highest level since 9 October 2023.

Diplomacy

The United Nations Security Council meeting on 13 June concluded with statements from Iran's and Israel's respective ambassadors to the UN. The Iranian ambassador Amir-Saeid Iravani stated that Israel's attacks constituted a declaration of war, accusing Israel of premeditated aggression and of a direct violation of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter. The Israeli ambassador Danny Danon presented the attacks as "self-preservation for the state of Israel", asserted that they were prompted by a failure of diplomacy, and declared that he had come to seek "recognition that the international community has failed to stop Iran's nuclear programme". Following the attack, diplomatic talks about Nuclear energy policy, nuclear energy between US and Iran which were scheduled to take place in Oman were indefinitely suspended.

On 15 June, Cyprus, Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides announced he received a message from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian meant for the Israeli government, which Christodoulides will discuss in a scheduled phone call with Netanyahu. That same day, Israeli media reported that Iran had approached the governments of Qatar and Oman to contact the United States in order to request a cessation of Israeli attacks. Trump announced that "many calls and meetings" were underway to broker a ceasefire, which was expected to take hold shortly, adding he anticipated a deal "soon". On 16 June, the Iranian foreign ministry reported that the Islamic Consultative Assembly, the nation's parliament, had begun drafting a proposal to exit the Non-Proliferation Treaty, while insisting that Iran did not intend to pursue nuclear weapons. Several foreign ministers of European countries told Iran to return to diplomacy and "avoid escalation".

Iran denied asking to come to the White House and said of Trump "The only thing more despicable than his lies is his cowardly threat to ‘take out’ Iran’s Supreme Leader”, Iran also said it will not negotiate under duress and threatened anyone who threatened it.

Aftermath in Israel

Following the Israeli strikes on Iran, Israel declared a state of maximum alert, with the IDF urging civilians to remain in shelters in anticipation of further attacks. Public gatherings were prohibited, schools were closed, and flights at Israel's main airport were canceled as precautionary measures.

Iran has threatened to target American, British, and French bases and vessels in the region if they assist Israel in countering its strikes.

Israel launched an airlift operation to repatriate around 100,000 Israelis stranded abroad due to the conflict. Israel's flag carrier El Al, along with local airlines Israir and Arkia, announced that they would participate, with El Al stating that repatriation flights were scheduled from Athens, Budapest, Milan, Rome, Paris, and London. Cruise ship operator Mano Maritime also announced its intent to participate. The first two flights departed from Larnaca, Cyprus, on 18 June and returned hundreds of citizens.

Impact on civil infrastructure

After the initial attack, widespread internet outages were reported across major Iranian cities, including Tehran, Isfahan, and Shiraz. These blackouts were attributed to infrastructure damage and government-imposed restrictions aimed at controlling the spread of information.

In response to the shutdown, Elon Musk's SpaceX reactivated its Starlink satellite internet service for Iran. According to reports, the move was intended to provide Iranian civilians with uncensored access to the internet during the conflict.

Authorities told Iranians to delete WhatsApp saying their information on WhatsApp is gathered by Israel. WhatsApp in response said they are “concerned these false reports will be an excuse for our services to be blocked at a time when people need them the most” and added that it does not share any information with any government.

Responses

In response to the initial attack on Iran, various authorities warned of retaliation to follow. In Iran, there were also local reactions of support for retaliation and trepidation as to what would follow. Diasporic figures were generally continuing their support for opposition to the government. Iran also claimed that Pakistan would use its nuclear weapons against should they be used on Iran. Pakistan denied this.

In Israel, Netanyahu said: "We are at a decisive moment in Israel's history" and "We are defending the free world from the terrorism and barbarism that Iran fosters and exports across the globe" and that the attacks would continue for "as long as is needed to complete the task of fending off the threat of annihilation against us." and that Israel's war was against the Iranian form of government and not against the Iranian people. Defense Minister Israel Katz said, in response to Iran's initial attacks that it had crossed red lines by targeting civilians, and added that they will pay very heavy prices for that. Katz warned that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel. IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the Israeli Ground Forces, Israeli Army is "mobilizing tens of thousands of soldiers and preparing across all borders," as he warned that "anyone who tries to challenge us will pay a heavy price" and that "it was at point of no return". Most Israelis supported Israeli strikes on Iran.

U.S president Donald Trump said on 18 June that he told Netanyahu to continue Israel's attack. Trump also said the United States doesn't want a long term war, only to not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.

On 16 June 2025, G7 leaders issued a statement at the 2025 G7 summit in Canada that read: "We affirm that Israel has a right to defend itself. We reiterate our support for the security of Israel. Iran is the principal source of regional instability and terror." UK prime minister Keir Starmer convened the national emergencies committee (Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms, COBRA) on 18 June and said that "Iran must never have a nuclear weapon" and also that the UK prefers a "diplomatic approach".

Various multilateral bodies commented as well states around in the world in regards to their stance on the conflict as to support for either side or a call for to calm tensions. Notably, Trump praised the initial attacks and ordered support to Israel. He also threatened Iran's head of state would be an easy target for assassination. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had initially stated that Israel had "acted independently," but that was later contradicted by Trump as having known about it. The USA also moved jets and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the region. Most Americans opposed the U.S. military’s involvement. Some Trumpism, supporters of Trump in the United States have criticized Trump's support for Israeli strikes against Iran, and the possible involvement of the United States in the war. Various states also issued travel warning and evacuations.

Protests

Protests also took place in London's Parliament Square, with protestors waving Palestinian and Iranian flags urging the British government to halt military support for Israel as well as calling for a de-escalation of wars in the Middle East. Protests also broke out in the US against the war.

See also

* 2024 Iran–Israel conflict
* Begin Doctrine
* Israel and weapons of mass destruction
* Samson Option
* Destruction of Israel in Iranian policy
* Timeline of the nuclear program of Iran
* Iran's disclosure of confidential IAEA documents
* September 1980 Iraqi airstrikes on Iran
* Israel–United States military relations
* Gaza genocide

Notes

References

External links

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