For nearly four decades, Iran and Israel fought through proxies across the Middle East — Lebanese Hezbollah, Syrian militias, Yemeni Houthis. On June 13, 2025, Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities directly, pulling the United States into the conflict for the first time. This tracker lays out the confirmed timeline, the military arithmetic, and where things stand now.
War Duration: 12 days (June 13–24, 2025) · Iranian Leaders Killed: Over 250 · Proxy Conflict Start: 1985 · 2026 War Start: February 28, 2026 · Initial US-Israel Strikes: 900 in 12 hours
Quick snapshot
- Twelve-Day War ran June 13–24, 2025 (Wikipedia – Twelve-Day War)
- US strikes hit Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan on June 21–22, 2025 (Forward)
- 2026 Iran War began February 28, 2026 with US-Israel strikes (Wikipedia – 2026 Iran War)
- Full casualty figures beyond initial reports (Wikipedia – Timeline 2026)
- Current status of 2026 war beyond April 2026 (ISW)
- Exact economic damage from Strait of Hormuz closure (Wikipedia – 2026 Iran War)
- Proxy war began 1985; direct hostilities started June 2025 (CIE Israel Education)
- February 28, 2026 strikes marked US-led Operation Epic Fury (Britannica)
- Israeli Defense Minister sets uranium removal as threshold for ending campaign (ISW)
- Regional retaliation and oil price volatility likely to persist (Wikipedia – 2026 Iran War)
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Conflict Name | Twelve-Day War |
| Start Date | June 13, 2025 |
| End Date | June 24, 2025 |
| Proxy Start | 1985 |
| Iran Losses | 250+ leaders killed |
| 2026 War Start | February 28, 2026 |
| US Strikes Feb 28 | 06:35 UTC |
| Iran Missiles Launched | 170 |
Why are Iran and Israel fighting?
The roots stretch back forty years. Since 1985, Iran has engaged Israel through regional proxy militias — Hezbollah in Lebanon, groups in Syria, Yemeni Houthis. Israel viewed these as existential threats; Iran framed resistance as ideological mission. That cold war held through multiple regional crises, managed by both sides to avoid direct confrontation.
That equilibrium broke in 2025. Israel launched initial attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites on June 13, 2025, according to Forward. The strikes targeted enrichment sites at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan — facilities central to Iran’s nuclear program. Prior escalations included Iran-Israel missile exchanges in April and October 2024, CIE Israel Education reports.
Historical proxy conflict origins
- Iran established proxy networks via Lebanese militias in 1985 (CIE Israel Education)
- Hezbollah became Iran’s primary non-state military arm in the Levant
- Syrian territory served as conduit for Iranian weapons flows
Key triggers for direct war
- April and October 2024 missile exchanges marked escalation points
- June 13, 2025 Israeli strikes ended forty years of managed distance
- US joined on June 21–22, 2025, marking first direct offensive intervention in an Israeli war (Forward)
Which army is stronger, Israel or Iran?
Military analysts have long debated this question. Israel holds qualitative advantages — air superiority, cyber capabilities, US intelligence sharing. Iran compensates with larger conventional forces, missile inventories, and geographic depth. The 2025 and 2026 wars have provided real-world data, though assessing winner remains contested.
Military personnel and equipment
- Israel: approximately 170,000 active-duty personnel, plus 465,000 reservists
- Iran: approximately 550,000 active-duty personnel, larger missile arsenal
- Israel maintains qualitative edge in F-35s, Iron Dome, naval capabilities
Technological and air superiority edges
- Israel used B-2 bombers and cruise missiles in 2025 strikes — US assets not independently operated by IDF
- US deployed Tomahawk missiles, HIMARS, B-2 bombers during February 28, 2026 strikes (Wikipedia – Timeline 2026)
- Iran’s response capability centered on ballistic missiles — roughly 170 launched at 09:05 UTC on February 28, 2026
Iran’s larger standing army didn’t translate to battlefield dominance. US and Israeli precision strikes using stealth aircraft and standoff munitions allowed attackers to inflict severe damage on fixed Iranian installations while keeping Iranian conventional forces largely unable to respond effectively.
The 2026 war saw nearly 900 US-Israel strikes in the first 12 hours of February 28, 2026, according to Britannica. Volume of fire, precision targeting, and intelligence superiority proved more decisive than troop numbers.
Does the US support Israel or Iran?
The question answers itself when looking at operational records. The United States has provided Israel with diplomatic cover, intelligence, weapons systems, and direct military participation. Iran has been designated a State Sponsor of Terrorism since 1984 and faced escalating sanctions throughout the 2000s and 2010s.
US-Israel relations history
- US has provided over $3.3 billion in annual military aid to Israel since 2016
- B-2 bomber deployments and Tomahawk missile launches required US personnel
- US buildup in the region in early 2026 was the largest since the 2003 Iraq invasion (Wikipedia – 2026 Iran War)
Recent US involvement in strikes
- CENTCOM announced strikes at 06:35 UTC on February 28, 2026 using Tomahawks, HIMARS, B-2 bombers (Wikipedia – Timeline 2026)
- US operations were dubbed Operation Epic Fury, marking first direct offensive US combat role (Britannica)
- Trump issued ultimatum for Iran to reopen Strait of Hormuz within 48 hours
Who is winning the Iran and Israel war?
Assessing winners requires specifying which war and which metric. In terms of leadership losses, Israel has scored decisive decapitation strikes. In terms of territorial control or force occupation, neither side has established permanent presence on the other’s soil. In terms of regional influence and proxy networks, both have suffered significant erosion.
Casualties and leadership losses
- Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated on April 14, 2026 that removing Iran’s enriched uranium is a threshold condition for ending the campaign (ISW)
- Israeli strikes on February 28, 2026 killed Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and multiple military commanders
- Satellite imagery confirmed damage to Natanz Nuclear Facility post-February 28 strikes
- 28 people were killed in Israel during Twelve-Day War counter-attacks in 2025 (Forward)
Strategic gains post-Twelve-Day War
- Trump announced ceasefire on June 23, 2025, effective June 24, credited to US intervention with Netanyahu (Wikipedia – Twelve-Day War)
- Nuclear facilities at Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan sustained significant damage
- Iran closed Strait of Hormuz in 2026 response, disrupting global oil trade
Israel has eliminated senior Iranian leadership and struck enrichment facilities, but Iran retains ballistic missile capability and regional proxy networks. Regional Gulf states — Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, Iraq — were also struck by Iranian missiles on February 28, 2026, complicating any assessment of Israeli victory.
When did the Iran and Israel war start?
The honest answer depends on how you define “war.” The proxy conflict began in 1985. Direct hostilities began June 13, 2025. Full-scale US-involved war began February 28, 2026. Each date marks a distinct escalation threshold, and which one matters depends on what you’re trying to understand.
Proxy era timeline
- 1985: Iran-Israel proxy conflict begins via Lebanese militias (CIE Israel Education)
- April 2024: First major Iran-Israel missile exchange
- June 2025: Second major exchange signals accelerating tensions
Direct conflict dates
- June 13, 2025: Israel strikes Iranian nuclear sites, Twelve-Day War begins
- June 21–22, 2025: US joins with strikes on Fordow, Natanz, Isfahan
- June 23, 2025: Trump announces ceasefire; effective June 24
- November 20, 2025: IAEA Board adopts resolution demanding Iranian nuclear access (Anadolu Agency)
- February 28, 2026: US-Israel Operation Epic Fury strikes begin at 06:35 UTC
- April 14, 2026: Israel Katz sets uranium removal as campaign threshold
Timeline
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 1985 | Iran-Israel proxy conflict begins with Lebanese militias |
| June 13–24, 2025 | Twelve-Day War: Israel bombs Iranian nuclear sites; US joins June 21–22 |
| June 23, 2025 | Trump announces ceasefire effective June 24 |
| November 20, 2025 | IAEA Board adopts resolution demanding Iranian nuclear access |
| February 28, 2026 | US and Israel launch Operation Epic Fury; 900 strikes in first 12 hours; Khamenei killed |
| February 28, 2026 | Iran launches 170 missiles in retaliation; closes Strait of Hormuz |
| April 14, 2026 | Israel Katz states uranium removal as threshold for ending campaign |
The pattern shows escalation at roughly nine-month intervals from initial proxy clashes to full US involvement, with each phase bringing deeper American commitment and higher stakes for regional stability.
What we know vs. what’s still unclear
Confirmed
- Twelve-Day War ran June 13–24, 2025
- US strikes hit nuclear sites June 21–22, 2025
- 2026 Iran War began February 28, 2026
- Ali Khamenei killed in February 28 strikes
- Iran launched 170 missiles in response
- Nearly 900 US-Israel strikes in first 12 hours of February 28
Unclear
- Full 2026 casualty figures beyond initial reports
- Current operational status beyond April 2026
- Whether ceasefire or ongoing hostilities as of publication
- Economic impact data on Strait closure
- Proxy involvement details, e.g., Hezbollah specifics
What leaders are saying
The targeted facilities were “totally obliterated.”
— Donald Trump, US President, speaking about Iranian nuclear facilities in 2025 strikes
Removing the enriched uranium from Iran is a “threshold condition” for ending the US-Israeli campaign.
— Israel Katz, Israeli Defense Minister, April 14, 2026
Target the military while sparing civilian infrastructure which “Iranians will need to rebuild our country.”
— Reza Pahlavi, Iranian opposition figure
The gap between stated goals — removing enriched uranium — and stated limits — sparing civilian infrastructure — defines the operational challenge. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz set the uranium removal threshold on April 14, 2026, according to ISW. Whether that threshold can be crossed without civilian infrastructure destruction remains the central unresolved question of the 2026 conflict.
Related reading: UOB Gold Price SG · Currency Exchange Rates Table
The twelve-day exchanges escalated rapidly, with the fragile ceasefire now under scrutiny as detailed in this 12-Day Conflict Timeline from mid-2025.
Frequently asked questions
Who is Israel’s best friend?
The United States has been Israel’s primary strategic partner since 1948, with formal defense commitments, annual military aid exceeding $3 billion, and direct combat participation in both 2025 and 2026.
Which countries support Iran?
Iran’s regional allies include Syria under the Assad government, Lebanese Hezbollah, Yemeni Houthi forces, and various Iraqi militia groups. Russia and China have maintained varying levels of diplomatic and economic engagement with Iran, though neither has provided direct military support during the 2025–2026 conflicts.
Who is the no. 1 powerful army in the world?
Military rankings vary by methodology, but the US maintains the largest defense budget, most global bases, and most advanced naval and air assets. In the context of the Iran-Israel conflict specifically, the US-Israel alliance has demonstrated decisive operational superiority in both the 2025 and 2026 wars.
Why is Iran supporting Israel?
Iran has not supported Israel during this conflict. The question likely reflects confusion from earlier periods when Iran’s regional strategy focused on proxy resistance rather than direct confrontation. During the 2025–2026 wars, Iran has conducted missile strikes against Israel, targeted Gulf states, and closed the Strait of Hormuz.
What is the Iran-Israel proxy conflict?
The proxy conflict refers to four decades of Iranian support for anti-Israel militant groups — primarily Hezbollah, Syrian militias, and later Houthi forces — while Israel conducted operations against those groups and Iranian military assets in Syria. The proxy era ended in June 2025 when Israel struck Iranian facilities directly.
Is there a US-Israel-Iran war?
Yes. The United States has participated directly in offensive operations against Iran since June 2025. US forces joined Israeli strikes during the Twelve-Day War and led Operation Epic Fury during the 2026 Iran War, which began February 28, 2026.
What are the latest oil price impacts?
Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to the February 28, 2026 strikes disrupted global oil trade. The strait handles approximately 20–25% of global oil shipments. Trump issued a 48-hour ultimatum demanding Iran reopen the strait, according to Wikipedia – 2026 Iran War. Specific price impact data remains unclear due to the ongoing situation.