| Iran–Israel conflict | |||||||
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| Part of Middle East conflicts, Arab–Israeli conflict | |||||||
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Iran–Israel conflict refers to the long-standing geopolitical and military confrontation between the Islamic Republic of Iran and the State of Israel, involving direct and proxy hostilities that have intensified since 2024. [1] [2]
Iran and Israel became adversaries following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, when Iran severed ties and adopted an openly hostile stance toward Israel. Over 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]
The conflict involved indirect clashes through Iran-backed forces in Syria, Lebanon and Gaza Strip, and Israeli strikes targeting Iranian positions. [1] [2]
Direct confrontations included missile and drone exchanges, with Israeli bombings of Iranian targets in Syria and Iranian retaliatory attacks on Israeli territory. [5]
In June 2025, a brief conflict known as the Twelve-Day War involved Israeli strikes on Iranian military and nuclear facilities and a ceasefire brokered afterwards. [5]
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. [6] [7]