Israel-Iran Twelve-Day War: June 13-24, 2025

Event Summary

The Israel-Iran Twelve-Day War was a direct military conflict between Israel and Iran that lasted from June 13 to June 24, 2025. This war marked the first time the two nations engaged in direct, sustained combat operations, escalating from years of proxy warfare and tensions. The conflict involved the United States and resulted in significant civilian casualties on both sides.

Background and Causes

The conflict was the culmination of escalating tensions between Israel and Iran over several years:

Israeli airstrikes on the Iranian consulate in Damascus
Subsequent Iranian and Israeli retaliatory strikes in 2024
Assassination of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran (July 2024)
Killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah and IRGC commander Abbas Nilforoushan in Lebanon (September 2024)
Israeli concerns about Iran's nuclear development program
Intelligence assessments indicating significant advancements in Iran's uranium enrichment activities

Timeline of Events

June 13, 2025 (Beginning of the War):

Israel launched "Operation Raising Lion," a surprise attack on Iran
Over 200 Israeli fighter jets deployed more than 330 munitions on approximately 100 targets
Targets included nuclear facilities, military bases, and infrastructure across 12 Iranian provinces
Specific targets: Natanz Nuclear Facility, Tehran, Tabriz
Israeli Mossad and commando forces sabotaged Iranian air defense and missile systems
Multiple IRGC commanders, nuclear scientists, and politicians assassinated
Civilian casualties reported alongside military targets

June 14, 2025:

Explosion and fire reported at Tehran's Mehrabad International Airport

June 15, 2025:

Iran and Houthi forces launched ballistic missiles striking Israeli civilian areas
Targets included Bat Yam, Rehovot, a mall in Kiryat Ekron, and Tel Aviv

June 16, 2025:

Israel attacked an IRIB studio in Tehran
Iran responded with approximately 100 ballistic and hypersonic missiles targeting Tel Aviv and Haifa
Israeli air defense systems reportedly overwhelmed
Iran conducted total of 11 attacks using around 370 ballistic/hypersonic missiles and 200 drones
Concerns grew about global oil and gas supplies and potential closure of Strait of Hormuz

June 17, 2025:

Iranian bombardments against Israel continued

June 22, 2025:

United States intervened with "Operation Midnight Hammer"
US conducted precision airstrikes and cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear facilities at Natanz, Arak, and Fordow

June 23, 2025:

Iran launched 14 missiles at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, targeting US forces
President Donald Trump announced ceasefire agreement between Israel and Iran

June 24, 2025 (Ceasefire):

Ceasefire officially took effect, ending the war
Agreement mediated by US and Qatar
Initial violations from both sides ultimately subsided

Military Operations and Technology

Israeli Operations:

"Operation Raising Lion": Multi-wave airstrikes on strategic Iranian targets
Coordinated cyber attacks on Iranian defense systems
Commando operations targeting key infrastructure
Focus on nuclear facilities and military leadership

Iranian Response:

Over 550 ballistic missiles launched
More than 1,000 suicide drones deployed
Coordinated attacks with Houthi allies
Targeting of civilian population centers and military sites

US Involvement:

"Operation Midnight Hammer": Strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities
Direct military intervention supporting Israeli operations
Cyber attacks on Iranian infrastructure
Diplomatic mediation for ceasefire

Casualties and Impact

Confirmed Casualties:

Iran: 1,062 killed (as of July 22, 2025)
Israel: 29 killed (as of July 13, 2025)
Over 900 injured across both nations
Many senior Iranian political and military leaders among the dead
Significant civilian casualties in both countries

Infrastructure Damage:

Nuclear facilities damaged in both Iran and targeted sites in Israel
Military bases and government buildings destroyed
Civilian infrastructure including hospitals and shopping centers hit
Air defense systems compromised on both sides

Human Rights Concerns:

Iranian intelligence forces arrested over 700 individuals accused of spying for Israel
At least six executed on espionage charges
Internet shutdowns in Iran during the conflict
Civilian populations targeted in both countries

International Response

United Nations:

Emergency session convened urging de-escalation
Calls for reaffirmation of non-proliferation commitments
Concerns about regional escalation

Europe:

Identified as having crucial diplomatic role in aftermath
Calls for peaceful resolution and regional stability

United States:

Direct military involvement supporting Israel
Mediation role in ceasefire negotiations
Strategic protection of regional interests

Strategic Aftermath

Israel's Position:

Declared ceasefire a "historic victory" against Iran's nuclear program
Claimed primary military objectives achieved
Estimated Iran's nuclear program set back 1-2 years

Iran's Response:

Demonstrated capability to strike Israeli mainland
Showcased missile and drone capabilities
Internal purges following intelligence failures
Discussions about potential successors to Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei

Regional Impact:

Fundamental reshaping of Middle East strategic landscape
High risk of further military escalation
Concerns about global oil supplies and shipping routes
Strengthening of regional alliances and tensions

Nuclear Proliferation Concerns

The conflict was characterized as the world's first "threshold war" - a conflict involving a near-nuclear state. Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities created paradoxical effects:

Potential acceleration of Iranian nuclearization efforts
Increased resolve for nuclear deterrent capabilities
Regional nuclear arms race concerns
Questions about effectiveness of military strikes on nuclear programs

Economic Consequences

Global oil price volatility
Threats to shipping through Strait of Hormuz
Regional economic disruption
Increased military spending across the Middle East
Humanitarian aid requirements for civilian populations

Legacy and Historical Significance

The Israel-Iran Twelve-Day War represents:

First direct sustained military conflict between the two nations
Template for near-nuclear state conflicts
Demonstration of regional escalation potential
Warning about nuclear weapons proliferation risks
Case study in great power involvement in regional conflicts

The war, despite its relatively short duration, fundamentally altered the strategic calculus of the Middle East and demonstrated the catastrophic potential of regional conflicts escalating into major international crises.