The full story of the conflict between Israel and Iran

In the early summer of 2025, the Middle East once again became the focus of global attention. A military conflict of unprecedented intensity broke out between Israel and Iran, which lasted for several weeks. Missiles crossed the border, nuclear facilities were hit, and the United States intervened to mediate. The situation was on the verge of getting out of control several times. This article will give you a complete review of the cause, process and ceasefire of this conflict, revealing the geopolitical game behind it.

1. Background: Long-standing hostility

1. Strategic hostility between Iran and Israel

Since its establishment in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran has always regarded Israel as an "illegal regime" and has not recognized its national status. At the same time, Israel firmly opposes Iran's development of nuclear capabilities, believing that it poses an "existential threat" to Israel's national security.

2. Regional proxy wars continue

The two countries have been wrestling for years through regional proxies:

• Iran supports Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Syrian government, and the Houthis in Yemen;

• Israel frequently launches air strikes on Iranian military targets in Syria.

2. Fuse: June 2025 - Israel strikes first

1. Intelligence-driven military strikes

On June 13, Israel suddenly launched air strikes on several nuclear facilities in Iran, including the deep uranium enrichment centers in Fordow and Arak. This was a high-intensity strike that had been prepared for months in advance, marking the escalation of the conflict into an open military stage.

2. Iran is furious and vows revenge

Iran's Supreme National Security Council called the attack an "act of war," and Ayatollah Khamenei said it would "respond without mercy." The Iran-Israel relationship, which had repeatedly tried to maintain a gray area, was completely broken.

III. Escalation phase: full-scale military conflict breaks out

1. Iranian missiles penetrate Israeli air defenses

After the Israeli attack, Iran launched dozens of missiles at Tel Aviv, Beersheba and other cities, some of which broke through the Iron Dome defense system, causing casualties and triggering nationwide air raid sirens.

2. The United States strikes at Iran’s nuclear capabilities

In order to prevent the situation from getting out of control, the United States launched the "Midnight Hammer" operation against three Iranian nuclear facilities late at night on June 22, blowing up several underground laboratories suspected of being used for weapons research and development. This move triggered a strong backlash from Iran.

3. Attacks on key figures and high emotions

Several senior Iranian military officers and scientists died in Israeli air strikes. The entire country of Iran has entered a state of war. Religious leader Khamenei is suspected to be hiding in a bunker deep in the mountains. The public is emotional and demands that the government fight back strongly.

4. Climax: A ceasefire within 24 hours

1. Iran attacks US military base (June 24)

Iran fired missiles at the al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which houses US troops. Although no casualties were caused, the action caused global tension. Trump thanked the US for the "advance notice", indicating that the US was well aware of Iran's intentions.

2. Trump personally mediates

Trump spoke with Netanyahu to pressure Israel to cease fire; Vice President JD Vance and special diplomatic envoy Vitkov held secret consultations with Iran. Multilateral diplomacy was rapidly unfolding behind the scenes.

3. The agreement was announced, but the missiles continued to fly

Although Trump announced that a "comprehensive ceasefire agreement" had been reached that evening, Iran and Israel accused each other of launching a "last round of attacks" before the "grace period." Israeli fighter jets launched air strikes in northern Iran, killing nine people; Iranian missiles attacked cities in the south, causing civilian casualties on the Israeli side.

4. Trump pressures to end fighter operations

Trump tweeted on his way to the NATO summit and called Netanyahu to "immediately recall the fighter jets" to avoid disrupting the ceasefire. Netanyahu finally gave in and Israel accepted the ceasefire agreement.

5. Impact and aftermath: hidden dangers of fragile peace

1. The ceasefire is maintained on the surface, but trust is still scarce

Although the two sides have temporarily "ceasefired" under the mediation of the United States, they do not trust each other and the conflict may ignite again at any time due to misjudgment or unexpected incidents.

2. Changes in regional structure

• The United States consolidates its dominance in the Middle East;

• Qatar has emerged as a key node in regional mediation;

• Iran was hurt but it retained its dignity;

• Israel demonstrated its strike depth and global coordination capabilities.

3. Global response: Alarm bells ringing

An emergency UN meeting called on all parties to exercise restraint, the EU urged the resumption of negotiations on the Iran nuclear deal, China and Russia called on "all parties to remain calm", and the international energy market fluctuated sharply at one point.

VI. Conclusion: The Middle East is still a powder keg

Although the conflict has subsided temporarily, it has once again verified an old saying: the issue in the Middle East has never been "whether a war will break out", but "when a war will break out". The conflict between Iran and Israel is deeply rooted in national strategy and religious ideology, and any accidental firing could reignite the flames of war.

True peace is still a long way off.