Iran-Israel Conflict: The Middle East is once again on edge as Israel and Iran find themselves locked in their most severe confrontation in decades. With airstrikes, missile attacks, and growing global concern, the stakes have never been higher.
Here's a breakdown of the fast-evolving crisis in 7 quick points:
1. Israel Launches ‘Operation Rising Lion’ In Biggest Strike Since 1979
On June 13, Israel carried out a sweeping airstrike campaign targeting Iran's nuclear and military infrastructure. The operation, dubbed "Rising Lion" by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, struck multiple high-profile sites, including nuclear enrichment facilities and military command centres. Addressing Iranians directly, Netanyahu described the offensive as a decisive step to neutralise the "nuclear threat," calling on citizens to "stand up for their freedom from an evil and oppressive regime" that has "never been weaker."
2. The Long-Standing Bitter Rivalry: A Timeline Of Hostility
Hostilities between the two nations have simmered since 1979, when Iran’s Islamic Revolution replaced its monarchy with a theocracy led by Ayatollah Khomeini. Once diplomatic partners — with Iran even being among the first Muslim nations to recognise Israel after 1948 — relations deteriorated rapidly. Khomeini labelled Israel the "Little Satan" and its ally, the United States, the "Great Satan." Over the years, Iran’s support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, particularly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, has only deepened the divide.
Israel’s foremost fear remains Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Tehran insists its nuclear programme serves peaceful energy needs. However, Israel has long suspected covert weapons development, especially as uranium enrichment processes at sites like Natanz could theoretically pivot towards bomb-making. The International Atomic Energy Agency's recent censure of Iran — its first in two decades — further raised alarms just before the attacks.
3. What Damage Have The Strikes Inflicted?
Key Iranian facilities were hit, including Natanz (main enrichment hub), Fordo, Bushehr (the sole commercial nuclear power plant), and Arak’s heavy water reactor. While authorities reported no radiation leaks, the infrastructure suffered substantial damage. The Kangan refinery in the massive South Pars gas field was also struck, igniting fires and halting production temporarily.
Casualties continue to rise, with at least 78 reported dead and over 300 injured. Among the dead is General Hossein Salami, commander of Iran's elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, marking a significant blow to Tehran’s military leadership.
4. Iran's Retaliation: Missiles, Drones, And Escalating Rhetoric
Iran responded swiftly. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei declared that Israel would not escape “the consequences of its crime” and promised a robust retaliation. Over 100 drones targeted Israel on Friday, largely neutralised by Israel’s Iron Dome defence system.
Ballistic missiles followed over the weekend, killing 13 and injuring dozens. As Israel warned Tehran that “Tehran will burn” if further attacks ensued, Iran vowed an even stronger response and threatened Western nations against aiding Israel.
5. Global Powers Walk A Diplomatic Tightrope
The global reaction has been intense. US President Donald Trump clarified Washington’s non-involvement, but warned Iran to accept a nuclear deal, stating: "Iran must make a deal, before there is nothing left, and save what was once known as the Iranian Empire. No more death, no more destruction, JUST DO IT, BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE."
Saudi Arabia condemned Israel’s actions as a blatant violation of Iran’s sovereignty. India urged both nations to de-escalate, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasising the "need for early restoration of peace and stability" after conversations with both Israeli and Iranian leaderships. The Indan Embassy in Iran has also asked all Indian nationals to move out of Tehran using their own resources. More than 1,500 students, mostly out of Jammu and Kashmir, are stranded in Iran.
The UK mobilised military assets to the region, while China denounced Israel’s actions and offered to mediate, stating: “China opposes any infringement on Iran’s sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.”
6. What Could Happen Next? The Unpredictable Road Ahead
With oil prices expected to spike and maritime activity in the Red Sea under threat, the conflict’s ripple effects are already being felt globally. Both nations face different internal and external pressures: while Israel navigates mounting international criticism over Gaza, Iran grapples with crippling sanctions, public unrest, and now the loss of key military leaders.
Given their deeply entrenched animosities, neither side can afford to back down easily without appearing weak domestically. And with major powers split on the crisis, de-escalation will be extremely delicate.
7. The Bigger Picture: Nuclear Standoff And Regional Instability
At its core, this flare-up reflects a deeper fear — a nuclear-armed Iran. Despite Tehran’s denials, concerns over its uranium enrichment activities persist. The recent breakdown in Muscat’s nuclear talks underscores the difficulty of finding a diplomatic solution. Only a handful of nations — including China, Russia, and Burkina Faso — opposed the IAEA censure, reflecting Iran’s increasing diplomatic isolation even within the region.
For now, the world watches anxiously as the crisis threatens to spiral into a much wider, more dangerous confrontation.