From Op Rising Lion To US, Here's The Timeline Of Israel-Iran War

The US conducted strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Allies joined the conflict, escalating violence and civilian casualties.

Following Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and military leaders, Iran retaliated with missile attacks on Israel.

Source : X/ANI

The situation in the Middle East and wider geopolitical escape escalated on Sunday after the US joined Israel in war with Iran. 

The US carried out precision strikes at three ke nuclear enrichment facilities, Natanz, Isfahan, and Fordow. 

President Donald Trump declared the strike a military success but Iran has vowed revenge while the world leaders including the United Nations called for de-escalation and diplomacy. 

Israel-Iran War Timeline

June 13: Israel Unleashes Aerial Assault

Israel launched a sweeping offensive overnight, under Operation Rising Lion with 200 fighter jets dropping over 300 munitions across six Iranian cities, including a direct strike on the Natanz nuclear facility. The attacks reportedly killed at least 20 senior Iranian military leaders, including top officials from the Revolutionary Guards. Tehran claimed 78 deaths and over 320 injuries—mostly civilians. Iran responded by firing roughly 100 drones at Israel, while Jordan intercepted projectiles threatening its airspace. Later in the day, Iranian missiles lit up Tel Aviv’s skies, though most were intercepted or fell short.

June 14: Civilian Toll As Fighting Spreads

The violence escalated as Israeli strikes continued, reportedly killing 60 in Tehran when a high-rise apartment building collapsed. Iran warned its missiles could target U.S. bases if the conflict widened. Israel hit Iran’s defence ministry and an oil depot near Tehran overnight. Air raid sirens forced nearly a million Israelis into shelters, with deadly strikes killing six in Bat Yam and four civilians in Tamra. Iran claimed projectiles struck Tehran’s Mehrabad airport and multiple sites in East Azerbaijan province.

June 15: Iran’s Allies Join War

Explosions again shook Tel Aviv as a second wave of Iranian missiles hit Haifa and Bat Yam. In a major shift, Yemen’s Houthis said they had fired ballistic missiles at Jaffa, marking the first strike by an Iranian ally. Meanwhile, Israel expanded its offensive, targeting government buildings and oil refineries. A planned nuclear negotiation between Iran and the U.S. was abruptly cancelled as Tehran refused talks under fire.

June 16: Tel Aviv Hit

Iran launched a dawn barrage on Tel Aviv and Haifa, killing eight and injuring more than 100. The Revolutionary Guards claimed they used a new tactic to bypass Israel’s defence systems, though details remained scarce. Israel countered with strikes it said destroyed a third of Iran’s missile launchers and claimed aerial superiority. Tehran announced mass arrests of alleged Israeli-linked saboteurs. Meanwhile, G7 leaders gathered in Canada as global pressure mounted to defuse the crisis.

June 17: Iranian General Killed

Israel said it had killed Iran’s wartime chief of staff Ali Shadmani just four days after his appointment. Extensive IDF air raids targeted Iranian missile launchers and weapons depots. Three civilians were reported killed in Kashan. Iran claimed it struck Israeli military intelligence and Mossad’s operational centre, though Israel did not comment. 

June 18: Strikes on Centrifuge Sites

A barrage of missiles continued from both sides as Israeli jets bombed the Khojir missile production facility and key centrifuge manufacturing sites near Tehran and Karaj, according to both Israeli sources and the IAEA. Iran launched twin missile barrages at Israel, with explosions reported over Tel Aviv. Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei warned the US against joining Israel in the fight. 

June 19: Trump Speaks On US Strikes 

Donald Trump said he would decide whether to launch a US strike on Iran within the next two weeks. His statement was delivered  by his press secretary during a briefing. He said he wanted to allow diplomatic efforts to proceed before making a final decision on US military action.

June 20: Iran Officials Meet European Leaders 

Iranian officials met their European counterparts at a meeting in Geneva, Switzerland where they said nuclear talks with the US would take place if Israel agrees to stop striking the country. Attacks continue on both sides, in Israel and Iran.