Citing a “existential threat,” Israel began a preemptive bombing war against Iran on June 13, 2025, focussing on its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. With missile barrages in retaliation, Iran broke through Israel’s air defences for the first time and seriously wounded several people. According to insiders, the government may have disguised the actual death toll, which may have over 40, in order to keep public morale high, despite initial Israeli reports claiming few casualties. The battle, known as the “12 Day War,” intensified quickly as both sides exchanged heavy blows. Israel was under tremendous domestic and international pressure to de-escalate out of fear of more Iranian retribution and perhaps nuclear escalation, which created the conditions for a precarious ceasefire.
Iran launched missile strikes against important Israeli military and civilian targets as the battle grew more intense, including residential neighbourhoods in Tel Aviv and a hospital in Beersheba. Unverified reports on X indicate that the death toll may have been as high as 89, suggesting that Israel’s emergency services may have underreported the number of fatalities, which was 28. The overworked and undersupplied Israeli soldiers found it difficult to hold back Iran’s reorganised forces. As pictures of devastation surfaced, the government’s initial story of a resounding victory started to fall apart, causing public alarm. In order to demonstrate strength in the face of mounting fears of a wider regional confrontation, Israel decided to minimise deaths.
On June 24, 2025, a truce was declared, mediated by international mediators under the leadership of US President Donald Trump. After 12 days of ceaseless attacks, the agreement, which was negotiated by Qatar, sought to end the fighting. Hours after Iran allegedly launched missiles, which Israel disputed, the truce was agreed to. Israel bombed a radar site close to Tehran after the ceasefire, and both sides accused one another of violating the agreement. When Trump publicly chastised both countries and urged Israel to “calm down,” it was clear that he was frustrated. For Israel, which faced complete annihilation if Iran’s nuclear aspirations or missile capabilities were not restrained, the ceasefire was viewed as a tactical halt. The fragility of the truce highlighted the adversaries’ intense mistrust of one another.
Fears of a disastrous escalation prompted Israel to accept the ceasefire. According to U.S. intelligence, attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities only caused months, not years, to be lost in its program, which raises questions about Tehran’s ability to recover. Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, which had been partially transferred prior to the strikes, was still a concern. Depleted after prolonged operations, Israel’s forces had difficulties in Gaza and against Iran’s proxies, further taxing its resources. Israel was pushed towards the agreement by the possibility of a protracted conflict as well as Iran’s capacity to cause serious harm. Critics said the ceasefire was a calculated retreat, but Netanyahu’s government presented it as a win, saying it had accomplished its goals.
There is still uncertainty regarding the ceasefire’s long-term viability. Even though Iranian President Pezeshkian has indicated that he is open to nuclear talks, hardliners in both nations continue to escalate tensions. Israel may have preserved internal stability, but public trust was harmed by its concealment of the full extent of Iran’s attack. The war primarily affected ordinary citizens in both countries; Iran reported over 600 deaths and Israel confirmed 28, but other figures are pending. The battle highlighted Israel’s military might and exposed its fortifications’ flaws. As foreign powers demand de-escalation, the truce offers a fleeting window of opportunity for diplomacy; nonetheless, the region faces the danger of returning to hostilities if no reciprocal concessions are made.
