- Israel and Iran enter direct military conflict after years of shadow warfare and proxy battles
- Massive airstrikes, missile attacks, and U.S. intervention mark a dangerous escalation in the region
- Ceasefire efforts are reportedly underway amid humanitarian crises, global oil shocks, and rising international tensions
The long-simmering hostilities between Israel and Iran erupted into full-blown warfare in June 2025, marking one of the most significant military confrontations in the Middle East in recent decades. What began as shadow warfare involving cyberattacks, covert operations, and proxy battles has now escalated into open airstrikes, missile exchanges, and direct military engagement between two of the region’s most powerful nations.
Israel launched a series of coordinated strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, citing existential threats from Iran’s expanding weapons program. Iran, in turn, retaliated with dozens of missile attacks on Israeli cities and strategic sites. The United States later joined the offensive, targeting Iranian infrastructure and triggering global concern over the possibility of a wider regional or even global conflict.
The war has had far-reaching consequences: thousands of lives have been lost or upended, oil prices have spiked, global markets are rattled, and the security architecture of the Middle East faces a possible realignment. While a ceasefire now appears to be in place—brokered with the help of regional and international mediators—the situation remains fluid, with deep political, humanitarian, and strategic implications.
Here are 15 essential facts to help you understand how the war began, what’s happened so far, and where things might be heading.
15 facts to know about the Israel-Iran war
1. What sparked the war?
In mid‑June 2025, Israel launched “Operation Rising Lion,” a pre‑emptive strike targeting over 100 sites in Iran, including nuclear facilities at Natanz, Isfahan, Fordow, missile production sites, and high‑level military command centres.
2. High‑profile casualties
Key Iranian figures, including major generals, IRGC leaders, and nuclear scientists, were reportedly killed, including the IRGC chief of staff Maj‑Gen Bagheri and IRGC commander Gen Salami.
3. Massive missile exchanges
Iran retaliated by launching waves of missiles at Israel. At least 300 missiles were fired, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage (e.g., Soroka Hospital in Beersheba).
4. US involvement escalates
On June 21, the U.S. joined Israel in bombing three Iranian nuclear sites—Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan—to degrade Tehran’s nuclear programme.
5. Global strategic shift
These strikes mark the first open Israel‑Iran conflict, significantly altering regional power dynamics. Israel effectively gained air control above Tehran.
6. Civilian toll
According to Al Jazeera and others, Israeli strikes in Iran led to hundreds of deaths and thousands of injuries; Iran reports over 639 killed, Israel at least 24 fatalities from missile attacks.
7. Regional military posture
Iran threatened to blockade the Strait of Hormuz, though analysts question Iran’s capacity to sustain that blockade.
8. Proxy groups stand aside
Iran’s “Axis of Resistance” (Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqi militias) largely avoided escalation, focusing on survival rather than joining the conflict.
9. Missile capacity weakened
U.S.–Israeli strikes severely damaged Iran’s missile stockpiles and infrastructure, reducing its ability to sustain intense long‑range strikes.
10. Internet shutdown in Iran
To control information, Iran imposed a nationwide internet blackout mid‑June, cutting usage by 97%.
11. Civilian exodus
Following strikes and evacuation warnings, hundreds of thousands fled Tehran, seeking refuge in safer provinces.
12. Humanitarian concerns
International bodies like the ICRC and UN warned of civilian harm, while reports surfaced of attacks on hospitals and power infrastructure, raising legal and ethical concerns.
13. Toward a ceasefire
After symbolic Iranian missile attacks with no casualties, U.S. mediation—led by Qatar—helped negotiate a ceasefire effective June 23–24.
14. Questions over regime change
Israel’s PM Netanyahu vocalized a desire to “destroy” Iran’s regime; U.S. leadership debated regime‑change rhetoric, drawing comparisons to past interventions.
15. Diplomacy or protraction?
Analysts warn military action alone is unlikely to eliminate Iran’s nuclear capability or instigate regime change; diplomatic avenues are being considered, though instability risks persist.
Trump’s tariffs imposition can trigger global trade war – ITUC
Earlier, TheRadar reported that the International Trade Union Confederation (ITUC) said the new trade tariffs imposed on countries by the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, could spark a global trade war, lead to job losses, and increase consumer prices.
ITUC argued that the tariffs, which were unveiled on April 2, prioritised national competition over international solidarity.
