⚔️ June 2025: Direct Confrontation – Iran vs. Israel

📅 Recent Escalation Timeline of Iran‑Israel Conflict

• June 13–15, 2025, witnessed a sharp escalation beginning with Operation Rising Lion—an unprecedented Israeli airstrike campaign targeting Iranian nuclear sites and military installations, including Natanz, Fordow, Kermanshah missile bases, and Tehran’s command centers, reportedly involving over 200 aircraft and drones (en.wikipedia.org).
• Simultaneously, Mossad reportedly deployed covert drone sabotage units, disabling Iran’s air defenses and missile launchers from within, enabling the airstrikes’ surprise success (en.wikipedia.org).

🧨 Targeted Strikes & Leadership Losses

• Iranian casualties include at least 104 killed, among them top IRGC commanders such as Gen. Hossein Salami, Gen. Amir Ali Hajizadeh, Gen. Mohammad Bagheri; plus several nuclear scientists, including Abbasi and Tehranchi (en.wikipedia.org).
• Israeli strikes also reportedly hit Iran’s largest gas and oil depots and military command clusters (theguardian.com).

🔁 Iranian Retaliation – Operation True Promise III

• In response, Iran launched over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones at Israeli territory, including Tehran-named Operation True Promise III (en.wikipedia.org).
• While Israeli air defenses intercepted the majority, 10–13 Israeli civilians were confirmed killed and hundreds injured, with missiles hitting Bat Yam, Tel Aviv, Jerusalem, and critical academic infrastructure (Weizmann Institute) (theguardian.com).

🏙️ Civilian Toll & Infrastructure Damage in Iran‑Israel Conflict

• Iran reported 104+ deaths and over 376 injured, including civilians and military personnel (en.wikipedia.org).
• In Israel, at least 10 civilians were killed, ~180 were injured in Bat Yam rubble, and other strikes injured dozens, including children (theguardian.com).
• Key infrastructure damage includes oil depots in both countries and disruption to airspaces. Airspace closures significantly affected regional travel.

🌐 Regional & International Fallout

• Israeli evacuation orders were issued for Iranian civilians near weapons sites in Tehran (reuters.com).
• Iran paused nuclear talks with Western powers following the bombing raids.
• UN Security Council has scheduled emergency meetings amidst increasing global concern over the rising death toll and potential for regional war.
• Western nations, including France, Germany, and the UK, have urged restraint. However, former U.S. President Trump signaled support for Israel, warning Iran to refrain from targeting American interests (theguardian.com).

🛡️ Military Objectives & Strategy of Iran‑Israel Conflict

• Israel’s goals: neutralize Iran’s nuclear advancement and degrade missile defenses. Its dual approach—covert drone sabotage plus overt airstrikes—aimed to diminish Iranian retaliation capabilities (en.wikipedia.org).
• Iran’s response: a direct missile-drone barrage aimed at civilian areas and academic/military installations. Despite heavy interception, the use of hypersonic Fattah missiles and coordinated Houthi strikes reflects a broader front (investing.com).
• Additional regional fronts emerged: Houthi missiles from Yemen, Hezbollah engagements in Lebanon and Syria, and Israeli raids in Syria targeting Iranian proxy missile stockpiles.

💣 Risk of Broader Conflict

• Experts fear escalation into regional war, potentially including Lebanon, Syria, Iraqi militias, and maritime chokepoints. Oil markets are already reacting—prices are volatile, and global shipping risks remain elevated.
• Despite Iran’s intent to respond “severely,” various international actors caution that a wider war is a path from which it may be irreversible (timesofisrael.com).

🧭 Summary & Outlook

Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, supported by Mossad’s covert drone campaign, inflicted significant blows to Iran’s leadership, nuclear, and missile infrastructure. Iran’s massive missile-drone retaliation caused civilian casualties in Israel and escalated tensions.

The conflict has evolved into a multi-front crisis, with Yemen’s Houthis and Hezbollah also engaged, raising fears of a full-scale regional war. Diplomatic efforts remain overshadowed by military momentum on the ground.