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Iran–Israel war
Ongoing armed conflict in the Middle East From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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The Iran–Israel war is an ongoing armed conflict between Iran and Israel, supported by the Houthi movement in Yemen and the United States respectively, which began on 13 June 2025 when Israel launched a surprise series of attacks on key Iranian military and nuclear facilities.[34][35] In the opening hours of the war, Israeli forces assassinated some of Iran's top military leaders, nuclear scientists,[36] and politicians,[37][38] and damaged or destroyed Iran's air defenses and some of its nuclear and military facilities.[39] Iran retaliated by launching missiles at military sites and cities in Israel.[40][41] The Iran-allied Houthis have also fired several missiles at Israel,[42] in an adjunct of the Red Sea crisis. The United States, in addition to defending Israel against incoming Iranian missiles and drones, also took offensive action on the ninth day of the war by striking three Iranian nuclear sites.[43][44] The Houthis took the American strikes as a "declaration of war" and unilaterally ended its May 2025 United States–Houthi ceasefire.[45]
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 | This article documents a current war. Information may change rapidly and initial news reports may be unreliable. The latest updates to this article may not reflect the most current information. (June 2025) |
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The conflict is considered an escalation of decades-long animosity between the two countries, including a proxy conflict, during which Iran challenged Israel's legitimacy and called for its destruction, while Israel considered the Iranian nuclear program an existential threat. In 2015, six countries negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal to lift sanctions on Iran and freeze Iran's nuclear program,[46][47] but in 2018, U.S. president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from and voided the deal, after which Iran began stockpiling enriched uranium,[46][48][49] and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) lost the ability to monitor Iran's nuclear facilities.[46][50] During the crisis in the Middle East that followed the October 7 attacks in 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.[51][52][53][54] The day before the Israeli strikes began, the IAEA found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.[55]
The Israeli attacks killed several of Iran's military leaders, leaders of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), at least 10 leading nuclear scientists,[36][56][57][58] and more than 200 Iranian civilians, according to both the Iranian Health Ministry and the anti-government Human Rights Activists in Iran News Agency.[59][60][61] The Iranian Foreign Ministry said more than 70 Iranian women and children were killed in the first three Israeli attacks on Iran.[62] Airstrikes damaged the Natanz Nuclear Facility and the Isfahan Uranium Conversion Facility, but apparently left the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant unscathed.[63][64] 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.[63][64] The first wave of Iranian retaliation included about 100 missiles and 100 drones.[65] Those and later retaliation strikes killed 24 people, all civilians; Iranian missiles have hit civilian apartments, a university, and a hospital.[66]
Legal scholars saw the Israeli strikes as a violation of international law,[67][68] a view also taken by Bolivia, Brazil,[69] China, Cuba, Russia, and South Africa.[70][71][72] The initial attacks by Israel were condemned by countries across the Islamic world, including Egypt,[73] Jordan,[74] Pakistan,[75] and Turkey.[76] Israel's attacks were met with approval by Germany, Ukraine[77] and the United States, who said Iran should agree to a nuclear deal promptly.[78][79][80] A number of Western countries condemned the violence, and called on both Israel and Iran to de-escalate,[81][82][83] with Canada, France, and the United Kingdom stating that Israel had a right to self-defense.[84] Russia stated Iran had a right to self-defense.[85] The United Nations expressed concern and called for restraint.[86][87]
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Background
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Iran–Israel conflict
Israel enjoyed a close relationship with the Pahlavi monarchy until the Iranian Revolution, when the monarchy was ousted and replaced by an anti-Western theocratic Islamic republic led by Ruhollah Khomeini.[88] Ever since, Iran's government has repeatedly pledged to destroy Israel.[89][90][91][92] Khomeini ended cooperation with Israel and denounced its occupation of Palestinian territories.[90][93] As time passed, Iran tried to win Arab support by increasingly antagonizing Israel.[90] Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei, has previously referred to Israel as a "cancerous tumour" and called for the country to be destroyed.[94][95] Israel considers the Iranian nuclear program an existential threat, fearing that Iran will develop a nuclear weapon.[88]
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, and then assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and prominent IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon in September 2024. In October 2024, Iran struck Israel, and Israel struck Iran.[93] The latter Israeli strikes destroyed Iran's Russian-supplied defensive S-300 missile system, paving the way for potential future Israeli strikes.[96]
Iranian nuclear program
Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu cited Iran's nuclear program as the reason Israel preemptively struck Iran.[97] Iran has consistently said that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes and that it has never intended to develop nuclear weapons.[98] The country developed a covert nuclear weapons program named the AMAD Project in the 1980s and 1990s, which, according to US intelligence assessments, was suspended in 2003.[99][98] US intelligence assessed that Iran was not building a nuclear weapon and that Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei had not authorised a resumption of the AMAD Project.[88]
In 2015, six countries negotiated the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action nuclear deal to lift sanctions on Iran and freeze Iran's nuclear program.[46][47] In 2018, U.S. president Donald Trump unilaterally withdrew from and voided the deal, after which Iran began stockpiling enriched uranium,[46][48][49] and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) lost the ability to monitor Iran's nuclear facilities.[46][50]
On 12 June 2025, and a day before the Israeli strikes occurred, the IAEA found Iran non-compliant with its nuclear obligations for the first time in 20 years.[55] IAEA director general Rafael Grossi stated in an interview that the IAEA did "not have any proof of a systematic effort to move into a nuclear weapon".[100][101]
Axis of Resistance
Israel has fought wars with Iranian proxies including against Hezbollah since the 1982 Lebanon War.[88] In the October 7 attacks in 2023, Hamas, an Iranian proxy in Gaza, started the Gaza war, following which Israel severely weakened both Hamas and fellow Iranian proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon, while also attacking the Houthis in Yemen.[88][48] This is said to have weakened Iranian deterrence and increased Iranian isolation.[88][48]
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".[102]
In a speech announcing the attack, Netanyahu stated, "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".[103] Netanyahu also stated that Israel attacked because "if not stopped, Iran could produce a nuclear weapon in a very short time. It could be a year. It could be within a few months, less than a year."[104] Following the attack, Netanyahu reiterated that Israel's war was against Iran's government and not its people.[105] Netanyahu convened the security cabinet as the situation unfolded.[106]
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Strikes by Israel
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13 June
- Israeli airstrike locations at the Natanz Nuclear Facility
- Impact on a building in Tehran
- Aftermath of the Israeli strikes in Tehran
In the early hours of 13 June 2025, the IDF attacked dozens of Iranian nuclear facilities, military bases and infrastructure installations, and key military commanders.[106] By 06:30 IDT, the Israeli Air Force (IAF) had launched five waves of air strikes,[107] using more than 200 fighter jets to drop more than 330 munitions on about 100 targets.[108] Israeli targets included the Natanz Nuclear Facility and other infrastructure of Iran's nuclear program,[109] with no nuclear accidents occurred as a result of the airstrikes.[109] Meanwhile, the Mossad sabotaged Iran's air defense systems and missile infrastructure.[110] An Israeli official said the 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.[111]
In the afternoon, Israel conducted strikes in Tabriz in the early afternoon, reportedly targeting an area near Tabriz Airport.[112] Explosions also occurred at the Hamadan Airbase[113][114] the Parchin military base,[115] and the subterranean Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant.[116][117] The IDF later confirmed striking the Hamadan and Tabriz airbases and the Isfahan Nuclear Technology/Research Center.[118][119] Iranian media reported that at least two Israeli fighter jets were downed over Iranian airspace and a female pilot was captured.[120][121] The IDF denied this.[122]
14 June
In the early morning of 14 June, Iranian media reported an explosion and a fire at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport.[123] It also reported Iranian air defenses engaging Israeli projectiles above Isfahan[124] and exchanging fire with Israeli drones on reconnaissance missions in northwestern Iran.[125] The IDF later said that it bombed an underground facility in western Iran used to store ballistic and cruise missiles.[126] Iran confirmed the deaths of General Gholamreza Mehrabi and General Mehdi Rabbani.[127] Iran also made unsubstantiated claims to have downed three Israeli F-35 jets, captured two pilots, and killed a third,[128][129][130] and the IDF repeatedly denied claims of air force casualties or damage.[122][131] Iran's Ministry of Petroleum announced attacks on two oil fields in Bushehr province,[132][133] where fires halted the production of gas.[134] The Red Crescent Society said Israel had attacked 18 of the 31 provinces of Iran.[135] In the evening, the IDF announced a new wave of strikes on "military targets" in Tehran.[136] These attacks struck oil and gasoline depots, cut off electricity in the Shahran neighborhood,[137] and hit the Iranian Ministry of Defence headquarters and the Organization of Defensive Innovation and Research building.[138]
15 June
A strike was reported on the Ministry of Justice building in Tehran and the IAF said that it bombed a refueling plane at the Mashhad Shahid Hasheminejad International Airport in what was possibly the most distant operation in its history.[139][140] Israel also struck surface-to-surface missiles in Iran as well as military bases and the Iranian foreign ministry.[60] Missiles struck and killed the intelligence chief and the intelligence deputy chief of the IRGC.[141] Along with the airstrikes, five car bombs detonated across Tehran, with explosions taking place next to government and nuclear-related sites and killing several nuclear scientists.[142][143] and an Israeli official denied any involvement.[144] The IDF otherwise warned Iranian civilians to evacuate from the areas surrounding weapon factories and military bases in Shiraz.[145][146]
16 June
The IDF hit the command center of the Quds Force in Tehran.[147] Iran International reported explosions were heard in the vicinity of the Fordow nuclear facility.[148] IDF strikes were said to have taken place in the vicinity of the Parchin military installations.[149] 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.[150]
The IDF said it has destroyed 120 surface-to-surface missile launchers in Iran. Brigadier-General Effie Defrin said that 30% of Iran's missile launchers have been destroyed and said it destroyed a weapons convoy between Tehran and Qom.[20][151] IRNA reported that Israeli forces struck the Farabi Hospital in Kermanshah, causing significant damage and at least 15 buildings in the Kermanshah missile factory were hit by Israel.[152][153] Israel bombed the Iranian state broadcaster IRIB during a live broadcast.[154][155] At least one IRIB employee was killed in the attack,[156] while the station said its offices were struck by four bombs.[157] Israel issued evacuation orders to residents of some areas of Tehran and hit Iranian missile launchers in western Iran.[158][159] The IDF said one of its drones destroyed two Iranian F-14s.[160] Nour News reported that Iranian forces claim to have shot down an F-35 over Tabriz.[161] The IDF hit a building killing Iran's intelligence chief and other key senior officials. Mohammad Kazemi, Hassan Mohaqeq, and Mohammad Khatami were confirmed to have been killed by the airstrike.[162][163] According to Iran International, Khamenei was moved to a bunker located in the town of Lavizan, along with his family.[164]
17 June
The IDF assassinated Major-General Ali Shadmani just days after he was appointed as a commander of Khatam al-Anbiya Headquarters.[165][166][167] According to The Jerusalem Post, Shadmani was killed alongside dozens of IRGC officers.[168] Israel said that it conducted "several extensive strikes" on military targets in western Iran, targeting missile launchers and UAV storage facilities.[169] According to Mehr News Agency, an Israeli rocket hit a checkpoint in Kashan, killing three people and injuring four others.[170] 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.[171] The IDF announced that it conducted heavy strikes against Iranian ballistic missile launchers in Isfahan using 60 fighter jets and that 12 missile storage and launch sites were hit during the attacks.[172][173] The state-owned Bank Sepah was targeted in a cyberattack with the hacker group Predatory Sparrow claimed responsibility.[174][175][176][177] Israeli jets hit Iranian missile launchers in western Iran and the Iranian Army claimed to have shot down 28 "hostile aircraft" including a spy drone. Israel denied the latter claims.[178][179]
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 the IDF struck an IRGC-affiliated university and a missile factory in Khojir.[180] The IDF also said it had destroyed 70 missile batteries.[181][182][5] Israel also attacked nuclear centrifuge production sites, with the IAEA confirming strikes on Karaj's TESA Complex and the Tehran Research Complex.[183][184]
In the morning, Israel hit sites in Tehran and issued an evacuation order for people in district 18 of Tehran.[185] Iran's internal security headquarters was destroyed during the attacks, according to Israel.[186] An Iranian Red Crescent building was also reportedly struck.[187] Iranian media reported that Iranian forces shot down a "hostile" F-35 jet in the Javadabad area of Varamin.[6]
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.[188] 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.[189]
19 June
The IAF hit targets in Tehran with airstrikes during the night of 18 June.[190] In the morning, Israel hit dozens of military facilities in Iran including air defense and missile production sites.[191] The IDF said it hit a nuclear weapons development factory in Natanz.[192]
The IR-40 reactor containment building at the Arak Nuclear Complex was destroyed as were nearby distillation towers.[192] Earlier in the day, Israel had told told residents of the surrounding areas of Arak and Khondab to evacuate.[193] Israel said there was no danger of radiation leakage. The IAEA said that the reactor was "not operational and contained no nuclear material".[194][195] The IDF said it believes it has destroyed two thirds of the Iran's missile launchers.[196] The IDF said that its drones struck Iranian soldiers who were repairing ballistic missile launchers.[197]
20 June
![Thumb](#/media/File:Friday_of_"Anger_and_Victory"_-_Tehran_-_Avash_20.jpg)
The IDF reported that it targeted numerous military sites in Iran overnight, including missile production facilities and a nuclear research center in Tehran. Among the key targets hit was the headquarters of the SPND program,.[198][199] The IDF said that it has destroyed 35 Iranian missile launchers in the morning.[200]
An Iranian news outlet reported that an Israeli drone hit a residential building in Tehran's Gisha district. Reportedly, the attack targeted a military base belonging to the Basij.[201][202] According to local Iranian media, an unnamed nuclear scientist was assassinated by Israel in Tehran.[203] In a short statement, the IDF said that they were targeting military infrastructure in western and central Iran.[204]
21 June
Israel struck three buildings in Isfahan, with Iranian media reporting that a nuclear facility was targeted.[205] Defense Minister Israel Katz said the IDF killed Quds Force commander Saeed Izadi and struck the vehicle of IRGC commander Behnam Shahriyari.[206][207] Iran confirmed the killing of a tenth nuclear scientist, Isar Tabatabai-Qamsheh.[208][209]
The IAEA stated that a centrifuge workshop in the nuclear research complex in Isfahan was destroyed by the Israeli strikes.[210][211] IAF struck a residential building in Qom, while explosions were reported over Najafabad, Malard, Isfahan and Tehran.[212] Israeli airstrikes targeted a nuclear site in Isfahan, according to the deputy provincial governor who spoke to the Fars new agency.[213][210][214] Fars reported that the air defense system in Isfahan had been activated.[213] The IDF said that it hit a military installation in Shiraz, no casualties were reported,[215] and following an Israeli airstrike, the headquarters of the Iranian Cyber Police (FATA) in Tehran sustained significant damage.[216]
The IDF announced that it attacked dozens of military targets in the Ahvaz area, using 30 fighter jets that dropped around 50 munitions. Among the targets were a ballistic missile storage facility and a radar site.[217] A strike in Tehran killed a former bodyguard of assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah alongside a member of Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada.[218] Later, the IDF said that around 60 fighter jets conducted strikes in central Iran in the evening, destroying three F-14 fighter jets.[219]
22 June
According to the IDF, 20 fighter jets conducted overnight strikes on dozens of military targets in central Iran, including weapons production and storage sites, air defenses, and infrastructure at Isfahan International Airport. In the morning, the IDF said that it destroyed two Iranian F-5 fighter jets at Dezful Airport alongside eight ballistic missile launchers, killing nearby soldiers.[220][4] Strong explosions were heard in Tehran, Isfahan and Bandar Lengeh, with Iranian air defense systems being activated.[221]
Explosions were also heard in Bushehr, Iranian media reported that Israel struck a power plant and a military garrison in Yazd.[222] The IDF confirmed conducting simultaneous strikes in the areas of Isfahan, Bushehr, Ahvaz, and Yazd, using 30 fighter jets that dropped around 60 munitions. Among the targets were the 'Imam Hussein' strategic missile headquarters in Yazd, an Iranian drone regiment headquarters, air defense battery factories, missile launchers, and drone storage sites. The strikes killed several Iranian military personnel who were operating at launch platforms.[223][224]
Later, the IDF said that 20 warplanes dropped 30 munitions against targets that included ballistic missile sites, satellites, and radars in Kermanshah and Hamadan, and an air defense system in the center of Tehran.[225]
23 June
Israeli strikes hit six airfields located in western, eastern, and central regions of Iran, targeting runways, underground facilities, and a refueling aircraft. The strikes destroyed 15 Iranian fighter jets and helicopters, like F-14, F-5, and AH-1. Israel also targeted missile launchers and storage facilities in the city of Kermanshah.[226][227] IRGC shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone in Khorramabad.[228]
Iranian state-controlled medias reported that alleged spy, Mohammad Amin Mahdavi Shayesteh, was convicted and hanged for his connections to Mossad.[229]
Israeli airstrikes hit the Basij, Evin prison and Palestinian square countdown clock.[230] In addition, Israel says it attacked Fordow's access routes. The strike hit the entrance of the Evin prison, Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar posted "long live freedom".[231][232]
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Strikes by the United States
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22 June
On 22 June, the United States joined the war on Israel's side and sent B-2 bombers to strike three Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan.[43][44] President Trump said that the targeted facilities were "totally obliterated".[233] In response, the Iranian government said that the Fordow site was not seriously damaged. IRIB said that only Fordow's exit and entry tunnels were destroyed but not the facility itself.[234]
Satellite images of Fordow facility were released by the Associated Press shortly after the strikes.[235] The images showed damage to the mountain which the facility was under and gray smoke flying in the air. They also showed damage to the entrances of the facility which are blocked by dirt, several large holes/craters were also seen.[236][237] Prior to the strikes, satellite images of the facility appeared to show increase in logistics, with multiple trucks/heavy machinery gathering near the site, suggesting possible move of Iran's nuclear material.[238] Later, an Iranian source informed Reuters that they have moved the majority of enriched uranium out of the facility to an unknown location prior to the strikes.[239]
According to the IAEA, no new radiation has been detected from Iran's nuclear facilities since the US attack.[240] Israel said that it was in "full coordination" with the US in planning the strikes.[241][242] Pirhossein Kolivand, head of the Red Crescent, said that the strikes caused no fatalities.[243]
Strikes by Iran
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13 June
After the Israeli attack, Iranian leaders promised a "harsh response”, with attacks against Israeli and US forces in military bases across the Middle East. Shortly thereafter, Iran launched missiles and drones at military bases and air bases under the codename Operation True Promise III. These included more than 100 Shahed drones, according to IDF Brigadier General Effie Defrin.[102][244] The US evacuated some of its troops from in Iraq and also authorized the evacuation of family members of US troops across the region.[51][245] Around 9 p.m. IDT—10 minutes before dozens of missiles hit—Israeli citizens received phone alerts about an incoming attack. Some Iranian missiles hit targets in Tel Aviv including the Kirya military headquarters near Begin Road; others were shot down.[118][246] Sirens were activated in Amman, Jordan's capital.[247][248] Some drones were intercepted by the Royal Jordanian Air Force in Jordanian air space; some by the IAF over Saudi Arabia and Syria.[249] Various Israeli sources said that an order for Israeli civilians to seek shelter was later lifted, suggesting that a majority or all of the drones were destroyed.[51] An intercepted drone fell on a house and wounded three people in Irbid, Jordan.[250]
At least 63 Israelis were injured: one critically, one seriously, eight mildly, and the rest lightly, according to Magen David Adom.[251] One civilian woman later died of her wounds.[252] Seven soldiers were lightly injured.[253] The Israel Fire and Rescue Services rescued two people from a building struck in Tel Aviv,[254] while the IDF's Home Front Command rescued another civilian from a building in the city.[255] The IDF estimated that around 150 ballistic missiles were fired in two waves during the attack,[256] which did little damage.[257] Elsewhere, The Houthis fired a ballistic missile from Yemen at Jerusalem.[42] It landed in Hebron, West Bank, injuring five Palestinians.[33]
14 June
In the morning, Iran launched dozens of missiles with seven people were injured in the attack.[258][259] A fifth missile barrage was then launched by by Iran on Israel, with US help intercepted incoming missiles.[260][102] The number of injured civilians surpassed 60, several homes were reported heavily damaged, and at least two civilians killed and more than 20 injured.[261][262][260] The IDF later announced that Iran had fired 200 ballistic missiles overnight, also hitting open areas. It asserted that a "small number" of missiles evaded air defenses, struck residential areas, and caused casualties in Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Rishon LeZion.[263]
According to Xinhua News Agency, several Iranian missiles transited Syrian airspace en route to Israel, with at least two missiles falling in Daraa Governorate (southern Syria).[264] Reportedly, several Arab states have participated in shooting down Iranian drones, or sharing radar information to help in destroying them.[265]
In the night, Iran fired another barrage of missiles targeting northern Israel, killing five people and injuring at least 23 others.[266] A fire also broke out near the BAZAN oil refinery in Haifa, where pipes and transmission lines were damaged.[267][268]
15 June
On the morning of 15 June, Iran and the Houthis in Yemen launched ballistic missiles simultaneously, striking buildings in Bat Yam and Rehovot, a mall in Kiryat Ekron, and in Tel Aviv.[269] In Bat Yam, 61 buildings were damaged, according to Mayor Tzvika Brot.[270] Nine people were killed and about 200 people were injured, according to the MDA.[271][272] Israel later said that it intercepted most of the missiles and that the remainder failed to enter Israeli territory.[273]
In Rehovot, Iranian missiles struck the Weizmann Institute of Science and dozens of other buildings were also damaged.[274][275] The IDF reported that central Israel was attacked by missiles coming from Yemen, which was later confirmed by the Houthis, stating that they fired Palestine 2 ballistic missiles in coordination with the Iranian military.[276] Debris from Iranian missiles also hit two sites in the West Bank. A Shahab-class missile caused a rooftop fire in al-Bireh, close to Mahmoud Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority. Three children were wounded outside Sa'ir by debris from an intercepted missile.[277]
Later in the day, Iran fired a barrage consisting of several ballistic missiles at Israel,[278][279] Iran also fired a missile at an area in Caesarea, near the Netanyahu family home. The IDF announced that the missiles were intercepted, with at least 50 rockets downed.[280] In the evening, Iran fired several barrages of missiles at Israel, injuring seven people in Haifa and one in Kiryat Gat, and causing fires and property damage.[281]
16 June
Iran launched another barrage of missiles against Israel and fragments were reported to have caused damage to the US Embassy Branch Office in Tel Aviv.[282][283][284] 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.[158][285] Israel reported 287 people were hospitalized overnight.[158] Haifa's oil refinery was also targeted,[286] causing significant damageand killing three workers.[287] 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.[288] 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.[289] Additionally, a drone fired toward the US consulate in Erbil, Iraq, was intercepted.[290] Iran fired ballistic missiles at Petah Tikva again, killing four people and injuring 15 people. Two missiles also hit Tel Aviv, destroying a number of buildings.[291]
17 June
In the morning, Iran launched about 20 missiles at Israel, lightly injuring five people, and struck targets across Israel, hitting Tel Aviv as well as residential neighbourhoods in Bat Yam and Tamra.[292][293] Ynet reported that an Iranian missile struck the city of Herzliya, damaging an eight-storey building and setting an empty bus on fire.[294] Explosions were heard in the Dan district surrounding Tel Aviv and West Jerusalem.[295] The Times of Israel reported Israel shot down 30 Iranian drones overnight.[296] The IRGC claimed to have hit a military intelligence centre and a Mossad operations planning centre in Israe. with four impacts in Tel Aviv, including Camp Moshe Dayan was directly struck.[297][298] An Iranian ballistic missile attack toward northern Israel during the evening was successfully intercepted by Israel.[299]
The IDF said 40% of Iran's ballistic missile launchers had been destroyed.[300] The Institute for the Study of War in the US noted that the five morning attacks had fewer missiles than previous salvos, which it held as indicating a degradation of Iran's missile forces.[301]
18 June
During the night Israel downed three Iranian drones.[302] In the evening Iran fired a single ballistic missile at Israel, setting off sirens in Tel Aviv and the surrounding area.[303][304] According to the IRGC, the long-range Sejjil missile was used in the attack and one man was lightly injured.[305][306] By 18 June, 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 and less than 200 drones entered Israeli airspace.[307]
19 June
Overnight Iran fired a ballistic missile salvo at Israel that was intercepted by the IDF.[308] Israel also downed two Iranian drones headed toward the north of Israel.[309][310] In the early morning, Iran fired a barrage of around 20 ballistic missiles at Israel, striking at least four sites in central and southern Israel, including the Soroka Medical Center in Beersheba, Tel Aviv, Ramat Gan, and Holon.[311][312] According to Israel's Ministry of Health, 271 people were injured,[3] and a Soroka hospital spokesperson reported significant damage to the hospital.[313] A cluster bomb was also used in the attack, with one hitting a home in Azor.[314][315]
The Soroka Medical Center suffered a direct hit, causing extensive damage and a suspected chemical leak.[316][317] Seventy-one people were lightly injured there.[318][3] The Israeli president said the hospital hit was a "beacon of coexistence for Israelis and Palestinians".[319] In Ramat Gan, 22 people were injured, a missile impacted near several high-rise buildings,[320] and several apartment buildings were damaged with 16 people were injured.[321] Later, Iran fired at least 10 missiles at northern Israel, with no reports of impacts or casualties.[322]
20 June
Following another Iranian missile barrage toward Israel, missiles struck Beersheba, apartment blocks which were damaged,[323] causing fires to erupt near high tech facilities.[199][324][325] The central rail station received damage from the attack.[325] Seven civilians were lightly injured from the attack.[326]
Later, Iran fired 25 missiles at Israel, with some striking areas in Haifa, central Israel, and southern Israel, with 23 people injured.[327][2] Impacts were reported in Beersheba, indicating that a cluster bomb was used.[328] There were explosions reported in Tel Aviv and at least one missile strike reported in Jerusalem.[329][330] In Haifa, the Al-Jarina Mosque was struck.[331] According to Israeli cabinet secretary Yossi Fox, the IDF assesses that Iran has so far fired 520 ballistic missiles at Israel with only 25 having made impact with the ground, equaling roughly a 5% impact rate.[332]
21 June
Fires broke out in Tel Aviv and the nearby city of Holon after Iran launched a new wave of missiles and struck a residential building in Beit Shean, no injuries were reported.[333][334][213][335] The IDF claimed that it intercepted 40 Iranian drones overnight, and added that 470 drones were shot down since the war began, a 99% interception rate. An Iranian Shahed-136 managed to strike a home in Beit She'an, causing damage, while another hit an open area near Highway 90 in the Arabah area.[336]
22 June
The IDF stated that Iran launched 27 missiles at Israel in two barrages with 11 sites being hit spanning from the occupied Golan Heights, to the Upper Galilee, to the northern and central coastal areas of Israel and "extensive damages" were reported in Tel Aviv and Haifa.[337][338] Eighty-six people were injured in the strikes.[339] Thirteen people were lightly injured when a strike hit a building in Tel Aviv, and six others were hurt in Ness Ziona. A man was moderately hurt on Route 431 near Be'er Ya'akov, and a misfired Israeli interceptor missile likely crashed in Haifa.[338]
23 June
Iran launched 15 missiles toward Israel with shrapnel from Israeli interceptors falling in several cities. Explosions were heard in Jerusalem, causing sirens to sound for 30 minutes. IDF said that the attack consisted of five separate barrages, each made of several projectiles. It also said that most of the missiles were shot down by air defenses.[340][341]
Iranian missile hit a public square in Haifa, 3 victims were lightly injured.[342]
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Casualties
By 20 June, HRANA that in strikes on Iran at least 657 people killed and 2,037 wounded.[343] According to NBC News, Iranian health ministry states that more than 2,500 people have been wounded.[344] In total, the IDF reported killing at least six senior military commanders.[345]
Two regional sources reported on 15 June that the death toll of Iranian nuclear scientists rose to 14, including some killed in car bombings.[346] The governor of Iran's 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.[347]
On 16 June, the death toll in Israel was reported to be eight, with approximately 100 individuals injured.[348] On the same day, CNN reported casualties in Israel of 24 people killed and 592 wounded, with 10 of them in serious condition.[349]
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Order of battle
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Perspective
This is the order of battle of the ongoing war:
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- Iran and allies:
Iran
Iranian Armed Forces
- Khatam-al Anbiya Central Headquarters[361]
- Iranian General Staff[362]
Iranian Army
Iranian Ground Forces
- 92nd Armored Division[363]
Iranian Air Force
- Iranian Air Force 1st Tactical Airbase[361][102]
- Iranian Air Force 2nd Tactical Airbase[364][365]
- Iranian Air Force 8th Tactical Airbase[357]
- Iranian Air Force 14th Tactical Airbase[361][366]
- Hamadan Airbase[367]
- 31st Tactical Fighter Squadron[367]
- Kermanshah Airport
- 1st Combat Assault Group[368]
Iranian Navy[364]
Air Defense Force
Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps
Ground Forces
Aerospace Force
- IRGC Air Defense Force[361]
Quds Force
- Palestine Corps[207]
Basij[371]- Intelligence Organization[361]
- Ansar al-Mahdi Corps[150]
Iranian Police[361]
Ministry of Defence and Armed Forces Logistics[40]
Ministry of Intelligence[361]
Ministry of Foreign Affairs[361][372]
Ministry of Justice[361][372]
Yemen (SPC)
Yemeni Armed Forces (SPC)
Yemeni Air Force
Houthis- Strategic Reserve Forces
- Missile Brigades Group
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Impacts
Summarize
Perspective
Tasnim News Agency[deprecated source] reported that Iranian authorities suspended flights at Imam Khomeini International Airport, although the facility itself was not directly affected by the attacks.[373][374] Return flights were perforce canceled for pilgrims in Saudi Arabia.[375] CNN reported that Iranians as of 15 June are fleeing major cities in Iran.[60]
Flights were also suspended from Israel's airports[376] and both Iraq[377] and Jordan closed their airspace.[378] 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.[379] The IDF announced that all of its pilots involved in the strikes returned unharmed.[380]
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.[381] The NYPD said they are increasing security at Jewish sites across New York City.[382] 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".[383][384]
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.[60] On 17 June, CNN reported that India evacuated its students from Tehran through the Armenia–Iran border.[166] On 18 June, three Iranian government planes flew from Iran to Oman, one of those planes is the presidential plane, believed by some analysts to be Iranian diplomats heading to Oman for ceasefire talks.[385] Airlines stopped flying over Israel, Iran, Iraq and Jordan, diverting some flights and canceling others.[386] Iranians stood in lines for fuel and stocked up on food.[387]
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 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".[388] Following the attack, diplomatic talks about nuclear energy between US and Iran which were scheduled to take place in Oman were indefinitely suspended.[389][265]
On 15 June, 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.[390] 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.[391] 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".[392] 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.[393] Several foreign ministers of European countries told Iran to return to diplomacy and "avoid escalation".[394]
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.[395]
Impact 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.[396] Public gatherings were prohibited, schools were closed, and flights at Israel's main airport were canceled as precautionary measures.[397][398]
Iran has threatened to target American, British, and French bases and vessels in the region if they assist Israel in countering its strikes.[52]
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.[399][400]
The Iranian attack on the Weizmann Institute, a "a world-leading multidisciplinary research institution in the natural and exact sciences" caused severe damage to advanced medical and biological research. A Weizmann professor told Times of Israel that colleagues from around the world have shown solidarity with the Institute.[275]
Impact in Iran
Civil infrastructure
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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.[401][402]
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.[403]
Authorities told Iranians to delete WhatsApp over concerns regarding data gathered being shared with 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 stated that it does not share any information with any government.[404]
On 19 June, Iran blocked the internet for more than 12 hours according to NetBlocks.[405]
On 21 June, Iran International reported that according to Netblocks the internet was disconnected again. Digiato reported that citizens claim to have no internet access.[406]
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International reaction and responses
Summarize
Perspective
In Iran, after the initial wave of Israeli strikes, various authorities warned of a retaliation to follow. There were also local 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 Israel, should they be used on Iran.[407] Pakistan denied this.[408]
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"[409] 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."[410][411] and that Israel's war was against the Iranian form of government and not against the Iranian people. "Israel's fight is not against the Iranian people. Netanyahu stated "Our fight is against the murderous Islamic regime that oppresses and impoverishes you. The people of Iran and the people of Israel have been friends since the time of Cyrus the Great."[105][412]
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.[413][102] Katz warned that "Tehran will burn" if Iran continues to fire missiles at Israel.[414] IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir stated that the 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".[415] Most Israelis supported Israeli strikes on Iran.[416]
Israel's attacks prompted Reza Pahlavi, Maryam Rajavi (co-leader of the People's Mojahedin Organization of Iran, or MEK) and other diasporic Iranian opposition figures to call for the overthrow of the Iranian government.[417][418] Some leaders of the Woman, Life, Freedom movement condemned the attacks, which they said did not help the Iranian opposition.[419][420][421] Sepideh Qolian said that war will not bring democracy.[419] Shirin Ebadi, Narges Mohammadi and Jafar Panahi called for an end to the war and condemned the attacks on civilians by both Israel and Iran.[419] Mehrangiz Kar said: "People are angry, and they hate the Islamic Republic. But they now probably hate Mr. Netanyahu and his military policies even more."[419] University of South Florida political scientist Mohsen Milani said there was little evidence in Iran of the kind of opposition which could topple the Islamic republic.[417]
In the United States, Trump said that he told Netanyahu to continue Israel's attack. Trump also said the United States does not want a long term war, only to not allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon.[422][423] 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.[424] The US also moved jets[425] and the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz to the region.[426] Most Americans oppose a US military intervention in the war.[427] Some supporters of Trump have criticized Trump's support for Israeli strikes,[428] and the possible involvement of the United States in the war.[429][430] In a poll of Trump voters, 53% said the U.S. should not get involved in the Iran–Israel conflict.[431]
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."[432] UK prime minister Keir Starmer convened the national emergencies committee (COBRA) and said that "Iran must never have a nuclear weapon" and also that the UK prefers a "diplomatic approach".[433]
The White House said that Trump would decide "within two weeks" whether to join Israel's war against Iran.[434] Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi have spoken by phone several times since the start of the Israeli strikes on Iran.[435]
In Germany, German chancellor Friedrich Merz praised Israel's strikes and stated that Israel is "doing the dirty work for us" in Iran.[436] The Iranian government described the comments by Merz as "shameful", and summoned the German ambassador in response.[437]
Multiple prominent international organizations, such as the United Nations, condemned the attacks on both countries and called for a restraint and Israel to de-escalate. Several countries, such as Turkey,[438] Russia and China,[439] condemned the Israeli attack on Iran and called for de-escalation. Donald Trump rejected Russian President Vladimir Putin's offer to mediate a ceasefire in the Iran–Israel war,[440] telling him to focus on mediating a ceasefire in the Russo-Ukrainian War.[439]
Some human rights organizations such as Amnesty International[441] and analysts have stated that Israel's military escalation against Iran risks diverting international attention and investigations from accusations of genocide related to its war on Gaza.[442][443][444][445]
Opinion polling on Americans on US involvement in the war by YouGov found 85% of those surveyed opposed, 5% supported and 10% unsure of the war.[446]
The British Foreign Secretary declared that the Islamic Republic is the greatest threat to global security.[447]
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Misinformation
BBC Verify reported on 21 June that "a wave of disinformation has been unleashed online" following Israel's strikes on Iran, including AI-generated videos that boasted of Iran's military capabilities. Pro-Israel social media accounts also circulated old clips of Iranian protests and gatherings, falsely claiming they showed increasing Iranian support for Israel's campaign.[448]
After Israel's 13 June strike, AI-manipulated video clips of Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Mohammad Asif, former IRGC commander-in-chief Mohsen Rezaei and US president Donald Trump which were seemingly aimed at depicting Pakistan as Iran's accomplice were posted online and subsequently picked up by media outlets such as the Daily Mail, Indian adversarial media and Arab news networks.[449] The Tehran Times posted a video generated using Veo that was claimed to show destruction in Tel Aviv.[450][451]
Grok, an AI chatbot developed by xAI, falsely identified the fake videos as authentic footage of the war in some cases.[450][448]
See also
- 2024 Iran–Israel conflict
- AMAD Project
- Begin Doctrine
- Nuclear facilities in Iran
- Nuclear program of Iran
- Destruction of Israel in Iranian policy
- Iran's disclosure of confidential IAEA documents
- Iran and weapons of mass destruction
- Israel and weapons of mass destruction
- Israel–United States military relations
- Samson Option
- September 1980 Iraqi airstrikes on Iran
- Timeline of the nuclear program of Iran
- United Nations Security Council Resolution 1747
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Notes
- One Israeli woman died of a heart attack while sheltering from Iranian missiles.[2]
- 54 in Khuzestan province[9][better source needed]
22 in Qom province[10]
30 in Hamadan province[11]
5 in Lorestan province[12]
28 in Tehran province[13]
References
External links
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