"Missiles, Nukes, and No Turning Back: The Iran–Israel War of 2025"
The Ongoing Iran-Israel War: A Chronological Overview (June 2025)
The Iran–Israel war, which erupted in June 2025, marks a dramatic escalation in decades of covert hostilities and proxy battles between the two regional powers. Below is a detailed, chronological account of the conflict, its origins, major events, and the current situation, based on the latest verified reports and international coverage.
Background: Decades of Tension
Historical Rivalry: Iran and Israel were once allies, but relations soured after Iran’s 1979 Islamic Revolution, which established a regime ideologically opposed to Israel’s existence. Since then, Iran has supported groups hostile to Israel (Hezbollah, Hamas, Houthis), while Israel has viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat12.
Escalation Post-2023: Following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and the subsequent Gaza war, Israel intensified its campaign against Iranian proxies and began planning for direct confrontation with Iran12.
Lead-up to War: In April and October 2024, Israel and Iran exchanged strikes. By June 2025, negotiations between Iran and the US over Iran’s nuclear program had stalled. A day before the war began, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years2.
Timeline of Major Events
June 12, 2025: The Opening Salvo
Late Night Strikes: At 11 p.m. ET, Israel launched the first wave of airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and top leadership, including attempts to eliminate Iran’s senior military officials and nuclear scientists32.
June 13, 2025: All-Out War Begins
Massive Israeli Offensive: Israel carried out its largest attack on Iran since the 1980s, with about 200 aircraft dropping 330 munitions on nearly 100 targets, including the Natanz uranium enrichment facility and sites in six cities, notably Tehran312.
Assassinations and Destruction: The strikes reportedly killed much of Iran’s senior military leadership and top nuclear scientists, crippled air defenses, and destroyed missile and nuclear infrastructure342.
Iran’s Retaliation: Iran responded with three waves of missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli military sites and cities. For the first time, a significant number of Iranian projectiles breached Israeli air defenses, causing civilian casualties354.
Civilian Impact: In Tehran, a 14-storey apartment block was destroyed, and dozens of civilians were killed in both Iran and Israel as the conflict quickly escalated1.
June 14–15, 2025: Intensification and Regional Fallout
Strikes on Strategic Targets: Israel struck the Iranian Ministry of Justice, foreign ministry, and military bases, including a refueling plane at Mashhad airport—one of its most distant operations ever4.
Explosions in Tehran: Multiple car bombs detonated near government and nuclear sites, killing several nuclear scientists and senior IRGC intelligence officials4.
Warnings and Mediation Attempts: The IDF warned Iranian civilians to evacuate areas near military facilities. Iran sought mediation via Oman and Qatar to engage the US and halt the strikes, but with little progress4.
Proxy Involvement: Yemen’s Houthis fired missiles at Israel, and Hezbollah signaled it would not join the conflict at this stage41.
June 16–18, 2025: Escalation and Global Alarm
Continued Airstrikes: Israel and Iran continued exchanging air and missile attacks. Israel targeted missile stockpiles, command centers, and regime symbols, while Iran launched hundreds of missiles and drones at Israeli cities56.
Civilian Toll: By mid-June, at least 657 people (including 263 civilians) had been killed in Iran, with over 2,000 injured. In Israel, at least 24 deaths and many injuries were reported despite most Iranian projectiles being intercepted7.
Nuclear Facility Risks: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) warned of the catastrophic risks if nuclear reactors, especially Bushehr, were targeted. Israel has so far avoided direct strikes on reactors but hit enrichment and research sites7.
June 19–21, 2025: No Diplomatic Breakthrough
Ongoing Strikes: Both sides continued aerial assaults, including an Iranian missile strike on an Israeli hospital5. Israeli air defenses intercepted drones over northern Israel and the Jordan Valley5.
US and Global Response: President Donald Trump has kept the world guessing about US involvement, stating he will decide within two weeks. Iran’s Supreme Leader warned of “irreversible harm” if the US intervenes, while Russia called for restraint and negotiations56.
Humanitarian Crisis: Over a million Israelis have sought shelter during air raids. Civilian infrastructure in both countries has been heavily damaged, with mounting casualties and displacement1.
Diplomatic Stalemate: Despite urgent talks, no diplomatic breakthrough has been achieved as the war enters its second week7.
Key Features of the Conflict
Military Impact: Israel’s initial strikes decimated Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure, but Iran’s retaliation has demonstrated its missile and drone capabilities.
Civilian Suffering: Both countries have suffered civilian casualties and infrastructure damage, with Iran bearing the brunt of fatalities71.
Nuclear Risks: Strikes near nuclear facilities have raised fears of environmental disaster, with the IAEA issuing repeated warnings7.
Proxy Dynamics: The conflict has drawn in regional actors like the Houthis, but major powers (US, Russia) have so far refrained from direct involvement, though the risk remains high541.
No End in Sight: With both sides vowing to continue, and diplomatic efforts stalled, the war shows no sign of imminent resolution7.
Conclusion
The Iran–Israel war of June 2025 is the most direct and destructive confrontation between the two countries in history, ignited by Israel’s preemptive strikes on Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure. The conflict has resulted in hundreds of deaths, widespread destruction, and heightened the risk of a broader regional war. Despite international mediation attempts, both sides remain entrenched, and the world watches anxiously as the crisis continues to unfold
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