Military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran have marked the most serious escalation since the June 2025 war, despite multiple rounds of indirect negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear programme. The latest strikes followed stalled talks in Geneva and were met with missile and air responses from Iran across the region.
Military operations by the United States and Israel against Iran have significantly escalated tensions in West Asia, marking the most serious confrontation since the brief but intense June 2025 conflict.
The latest strikes came two days after high-level nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, ended without a breakthrough. US President Donald Trump said Washington had launched a “major combat operation” aimed at eliminating threats from what he described as the Iranian regime.
Iran responded with missile and air strikes across the region, including in Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq. Israeli authorities stated that their operation targeted Iranian military and nuclear-linked infrastructure. Israel closed its airspace and imposed emergency measures, while several other countries in the region temporarily shut their airspace as a precaution.
Timeline of Escalation
Below is a timeline of key military and diplomatic developments leading up to the latest escalation:
June 13, 2025
Israel launches large-scale air strikes on Iranian nuclear and military facilities while US–Iran talks are ongoing. Within hours, Iran retaliates with extensive missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.
June 22, 2025
The United States strikes Iranian nuclear sites at the Natanz Nuclear Facility, Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant and Isfahan Nuclear Technology Center. President Trump says the operation significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear capabilities. Iranian officials acknowledge damage but maintain that the programme was not destroyed.
June 23, 2025
Iran fires missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, which hosts US troops. The missiles are intercepted, and no casualties are reported.
June 24, 2025
After 12 days of fighting, a US-brokered ceasefire between Iran and Israel takes effect. Iranian authorities report at least 610 fatalities within Iran, while Israel reports 28 deaths.
July 2, 2025
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signs legislation suspending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The law bars IAEA inspectors from accessing Iranian nuclear facilities unless authorised by Iran’s Supreme National Security Council.
Renewed Confrontation
The renewed US–Israel strikes signal a sharp deterioration in diplomatic efforts aimed at reviving nuclear negotiations. While talks had continued indirectly through mediators, the lack of progress in Geneva underscored persistent differences over Iran’s nuclear activities and oversight mechanisms.
Iran’s suspension of cooperation with the IAEA further complicated efforts to restore international monitoring arrangements. The latest military actions have now raised concerns of a broader regional conflict, particularly as retaliatory strikes extended beyond Israel to other countries in the Gulf region.
Airspace closures and heightened military readiness across multiple states indicate the scale of precautionary measures being taken.
As of now, there has been no confirmation of renewed ceasefire efforts or immediate diplomatic engagement following the latest round of strikes. Regional and international stakeholders are closely monitoring developments amid concerns over further escalation.
