The Iran–Israel conflict is a long-standing geopolitical and military confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, involving proxy hostilities since 1985 and direct clashes since 2024.[1][2]

Background

Iran and Israel became adversaries following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, when Iran severed ties on 18 February 1979 and adopted an openly hostile stance toward Israel. Over the following decades, the rivalry expanded through proxy forces and regional influence campaigns, including Iran's support for Hezbollah and Hamas, as well as its nuclear program and ballistic missile development.[3][4]

Proxy conflict (1985–present)

The conflict involved indirect clashes between Israel and Iran-backed forces in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza Strip, and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian positions.[1][2]

Direct conflict (2024–present)

2024 conflict

Direct confrontations included missile and drone exchanges, Israeli bombings of Iranian targets in Syria and Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israeli territory.[5]

In April, both Israeli strikes against Iran and Iranian strikes against Israel started, respectively.[6][7] In July, assassinations of both Fuad Shukr and Ismail Haniyeh were conducted by Israel.[8][9] In October, Iranian strikes on Israel started, with Israeli strikes on Iran.[10]

2025 Twelve-Day War

In June 2025, a brief war known as the Twelve-Day War involved Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities and a ceasefire brokered afterwards.[5]

2026 Iran war

In late February 2026, after the breakdown of US–Iran negotiations, Israel and the United States conducted coordinated military operations against Iranian targets. Iran retaliated with missile and drone strikes on Israeli territory, causing civilian casualties and infrastructure damage.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Wintour, Patrick (February 28, 2026). "Iran vows 'no leniency' as it launches reprisal attacks on Israel and US air bases". The Guardian.
  2. 1 2 Jones, Callum; Campbell, Lucy; Ambrose, Tom; Ali, Taz; Mackay, Hamish; Fulton, Adam (20 March 2026). "Israel denies 'dragging' US into war – as it happened". The Guardian.
  3. ↑ Ellis-Petersen, Hannah (20 March 2026). "'Not our war': Gulf states weigh up options as existential threat from Iran conflict grows". The Guardian.
  4. ↑ "How the US and Iran became bitter rivals". BBC World Service. 22 January 2026 – via YouTube.
  5. 1 2 Lubell, Maayan; Cornwell, Alexander; Ali, Idrees (21 March 2026). "Iran attacks near Israeli nuclear site, fires long-range missiles for first time". Reuters.
  6. ↑ Klippenstein, Ken; Boguslaw, Daniel (15 April 2024). "U.S., Not Israel, Shot Down Most Iran Drones and Missiles". The Intercept. Archived from the original on 16 April 2024. Retrieved 18 April 2024.
  7. ↑ "Over 100 drones intercepted outside Israeli territory: Report "Israeli army radio reports that over 100 drones were intercepted outside Israeli territory with assistance from the US and UK."". Al Jazeera. 13 April 2024. Archived from the original on 13 April 2024. Retrieved 13 April 2024.
  8. ↑ de Haldevang, Max; Bozorgmehr, Najmeh (18 June 2025). "The Iranian generals and scientists killed by Israel's offensive". Financial Times. Retrieved 19 June 2025.
  9. ↑ "Israel's Netanyahu says Iran will 'pay' after missile attack". Deutsche Welle. Archived from the original on 2 October 2024. Retrieved 2 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "What we know as Israel-Iran conflict intensifies". BBC News. 13 June 2025. Retrieved 17 June 2025.
  11. ↑ Scheer, Steven (18 March 2026). "Iranian cluster missiles pose extra challenge for Israel's air defences". Reuters.
  12. ↑ Osuh, Chris (22 March 2026). "Iran war timeline: civilians bear brunt of US and Israel's weeks-long campaign". The Guardian.


source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iran–Israel_conflict