Israel–Iran War 2025: Timeline & Analysis
🕊️ How It Started
Start Date: June 13, 2025
Israel initiated a surprise airstrike—Operation Rising Lion—targeting Iranian nuclear and military facilities. This came after the IAEA declared Iran in violation of its nuclear obligations and a 60-day stall in negotiations.
Immediate Causes:
- Israel claimed Iran was nearing nuclear weapons capability.
- The IAEA publicly confirmed Iran’s non-compliance.
- Jerusalem launched the operation after peace talks failed.
⚔️ What Triggered It?
Before June 13, conflict was proxy-based. The escalation began with:
- April 2024: Iran’s direct missile/drone strike on Israel from Iran, Lebanon, Syria, and Yemen—after Israel attacked its consulate in Damascus.
- October 2024: Israel responded with strikes inside Iran (nuclear/missile infrastructure).
- By mid-2025: Full-scale Israeli offensive commenced.
🔁 Early Phase & Recent Progress (June 13–15, 2025)
🗓️ June 13 Morning:
- Israel struck complexes near Tehran, killing IRGC commander Hossein Salami and nuclear scientists.
🗓️ June 13 Evening:
- Iran retaliated with ~150 ballistic missiles and 100 drones (Operation True Promise 3).
- Iron Dome intercepted most; 22 Israelis wounded.
🗓️ June 14–15:
- Israel hit 80+ Iranian military, nuclear, oil, and gas sites.
- Iran responded with 200+ additional drones and missiles.
📊 Casualties
- Iran: Estimated 300–400+ dead, hundreds wounded.
- Israel: ~14 confirmed dead, 400+ injured. Major damage in Tel Aviv, Haifa, Bat Yam.
- Mossad-led drone raids took out several Iranian missile systems before Israeli airstrikes.
⚠️ Why It Matters
- This is the first direct, non-proxy war between Israel and Iran.
- Full-scale warfare includes missiles, drones, intelligence, and cyber components.
- Houthi militia involvement raises fears of regional spillover.
- President Trump vetoed Israeli assassination plans targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader—but expressed full defense support.
🔎 Current Status
- The war continues with no ceasefire announced.
- Each side has vowed continued attacks unless the other stops first.
- International pressure for de-escalation is intensifying.