Iran-Israel Conflict
Full timeline synthesis
Nov 28, 2020 – Sep 2, 2026The conflict began with a cycle of targeted assassinations and infrastructure attacks. Iran blamed Israel for the killing of a nuclear scientist in late 2020 and an attack on the Natanz nuclear site in 2021. Tensions escalated through 2023 and 2024 as Israel struck IRGC members in Damascus and a consulate in Syria. These strikes killed several senior generals, prompting Iran to vow retaliation. In June 2025, the conflict entered a phase of direct, large-scale military engagement. Israel conducted coordinated airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities and commanders. Iran responded by launching waves of drones at the Negev air base and firing missiles at Israeli cities. This period saw intense exchanges, including Israeli strikes on Iranian state television and Tehran-based weapon sites, and Iranian missile strikes on Tel Aviv and Haifa. A fragile ceasefire emerged in late June 2025 after Donald Trump announced a deal, but Iran denied the agreement. The breakdown followed Israeli strikes on the Fordow enrichment site, which Israel claimed rendered it inoperable, and subsequent Iranian missile attacks. Hostilities intensified in early 2026. A major escalation occurred on February 28, 2026, when a US-Israeli airstrike killed Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. This assassination triggered a massive war, leading Iran to close the Strait of Hormuz and launch hypersonic missiles at Israel. Israel responded by establishing covert bases in the Iraqi desert and conducting operations to attempt regime change, including a failed effort to install Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. The US joined the conflict directly, striking Iranian vessels and missile sites near the Strait of Hormuz. By late summer 2026, the conflict reached a state of continuous, high-intensity attrition. Iran launched repeated drone attacks on the Negev air base, while Israel and the US conducted strikes in Jordan, the UAE, and Lebanon. The US House passed a $1.15 trillion military bill to fund continued cooperation with Israel. Currently, the situation remains highly volatile. Iran continues to launch drone and missile salvos, while Israeli officials signal intentions to dismantle the Iranian system, and the US maintains a heavy military presence in the region.