Full timeline synthesis
Apr 12, 2021 – Oct 26, 2026The conflict began with Iran accusing Israel of attacking the Natanz nuclear site in April 2021. Tensions escalated through 2023 and early 2024 via drone attacks in Isfahan and Israeli strikes on IRGC members in Damascus and a consulate in Syria. In late 2024, Israel conducted air strikes on Iranian military targets. This led to a massive escalation in June 2025, when Israel targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and commanders. Iran responded with repeated drone attacks on an Israeli air base in the Negev, while Israel struck the Qom and Fordow nuclear sites and Iranian state television. By mid-June 2025, the conflict entered a phase of intense direct engagement. Iran launched missiles at Tel Aviv and Haifa, prompting Israel to destroy Quds Force weapon sites in Tehran. Iran subsequently deployed hypersonic missiles. The IDF destroyed Iranian missile launchers within Israeli territory to prevent further strikes. Following a week of heavy combat that killed hundreds in Iran and thousands in Israel, a fragile truce emerged in late June 2025. However, the conflict persisted into 2026 with missile strikes near Israeli nuclear infrastructure and the death of Ali Khamenei in a US-Israeli airstrike on February 28. In May and June 2026, the United States and Israel conducted strikes on Iranian vessels and missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz. The UAE also joined in coordinated airstrikes against Iranian energy facilities. A brief period of relative calm ended on June 7, 2026, when Iran launched 30 missiles at the Negev air base. This triggered a cycle of strikes on Iranian military installations and Israeli cities. A ceasefire attempt failed after Israel struck the Lebanese city of Tyre and attacked Beirut. President Trump blamed the Beirut attack for postponing a US-Iran nuclear deal, while Prime Minister Netanyahu continued strikes in Lebanon. In late 2026, the conflict shifted toward high-stakes military posturing and economic volatility. Iran launched repeated drone salvos at the Negev air base, causing spikes in oil prices and US stock market dips. The US responded to these drone attacks with missile strikes in Syria, Jordan, and the UAE. While reports emerged that President Trump blocked a massive Israeli operation in October 2026, Netanyahu denied these claims. Currently, the situation remains highly volatile, with Israel conducting military drills near the Iranian border and Hezbollah receiving Iranian financial support to prepare for regional war.