Israel’s Attack on Iran to Trump’s Ceasefire Claim — What Happened and When

Tensions between Israel and Iran erupted into a full-scale war on June 13, 2025, following a pre-emptive strike by the Israeli Air Force under "Operation Rising Lion." Over 100 high-value military and nuclear sites in Iran, including Natanz, Isfahan, and Tehran, were targeted. The attack killed dozens of senior Iranian military officials, including IRGC and Quds Force commanders, and disabled key infrastructure.

In response, Iran unleashed Operation True Promise 3, firing over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones at Israeli territory. While most were intercepted by Israel’s Iron Dome and Arrow systems, several caused casualties and infrastructural damage, especially in southern and central Israel.

Covert Ops and Strategic Sabotage

The conflict was not limited to conventional warfare. Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, reportedly pre-positioned explosive drones within Iranian borders weeks in advance. These drones destroyed several missile launchers and radar stations from within Iran, a strategy that stunned military analysts globally and highlighted the depth of Israel’s covert capabilities.

Iran, meanwhile, launched its own intelligence-backed strikes, including targeted missile attacks on Israeli hospitals and civilian infrastructure. One such strike on Soroka Medical Centre injured over 50 people and drew widespread condemnation from the international community.

Rising Toll on Both Sides

By June 24, 2025, the twelfth day of war, over 430 Iranian personnel, including civilians, were confirmed dead, while between 24 and 28 Israelis had been killed. Iranian cities such as Shiraz, Qom, and Isfahan bore the brunt of the Israeli airstrikes. Meanwhile, Israel suffered from Iranian missile barrages targeting Haifa, Ashdod, and Be'er Sheva.

Israel claimed it had successfully set back Iran’s nuclear program by two to three years using U.S.-supplied bunker-buster bombs on key facilities in Arak, Fordow, and Natanz.

From Shadows to Strikes: U.S. Treads the Line of War

U.S. President Donald Trump initially maintained a policy of strategic ambiguity, but pressure from regional allies and American military advisers led to limited U.S. airstrikes on three nuclear-linked sites in Iran over the weekend. The strikes, reportedly launched from bases in the UAE and Jordan, were aimed at halting Iran’s enrichment capability.

In retaliation, Iran fired several missiles at a U.S. base in Qatar. Most were intercepted, and no casualties were reported.

Trump, in a statement from the White House on Sunday, said he would make a decision “within two weeks” on whether the U.S. would directly escalate its involvement. “All options are on the table,” he declared.

Ceasefire Cracks Before Ink Dries

Under mounting diplomatic pressure, President Donald Trump announced on June 23 that Israel and Iran had agreed to a “complete and total ceasefire.” The deal, brokered through intense backchannel negotiations, was structured in phases: Iran would halt hostilities first, followed by Israel within hours. Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Netanyahu’s office, confirmed their conditional acceptance. Iran’s stance, however, remained opaque. While state media reported the truce had begun, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Iran’s compliance hinged on Israel stopping attacks by a strict deadline, around 4 a.m. Tehran time. Tehran refused to acknowledge any formal agreement, framing its pause as contingent, not committed.

The calm was short-lived. Within hours of the announcement, Israel accused Iran of breaching the ceasefire with renewed missile fire. Iran denied the charge, claiming its final salvos were launched before the deadline. In retaliation, Israeli warplanes struck suspected missile sites in Kermanshah and Bushehr. Despite the tit-for-tat, both sides stopped short of full-scale re-engagement. President Trump, maintaining pressure on both nations, declared the ceasefire “holding”, though the reality on the ground suggested otherwise.

With tensions simmering just beneath the surface, the ceasefire appears to be held together more by diplomatic will than mutual trust, a pause, not peace.

What Lies Ahead

The conflict has left the region on edge, with a volatile ceasefire in place and growing calls for a diplomatic resolution. Key developments to watch include:

President Trump’s final stance: His decision on whether the U.S. will pursue broader military engagement is expected in the first week of July.

Nuclear oversight: The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has requested urgent access to inspect damaged Iranian nuclear facilities.

Global diplomacy: Countries including France, Russia, China, the UK, and Qatar are pushing for a multilateral peace framework to prevent another outbreak.

Also Read: Ceasefire Only If Israel Backs Off, Says Iran