So when the question comes up: Is this Iran–Israel conflict World War III? The answer is, probably not. Thankfully, we have global institutions like the United Nations, peacekeeping forces, and a world order that tries, however imperfectly, to avoid another full scale global disaster.
These days, the word “World War” gets thrown around far too casually. People use it almost like a meme; a trending phrase, or sometimes like a dramatic exaggeration. But those who’ve read about or lived through the horrors of World War I and II know the true weight of that term, what actually the term world war stands for. The nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the millions of lives lost, and the generational trauma that followed those scars are still alive, in the DNA of children born decades later. It’s not just about a single date, but it’s all about the loss for centuries to come.
But what unfolded in 2025 was something terrifyingly close to a modern, multi-front war deeply shaking the Middle East and beyond.
Iran–Israel Conflict : A Timeline
To understand what happened in 2025, we need to go back not just to Hamas brutal 2023 attack on Israel, but further more. Iran has long supported militant anti-Israel groups like Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon.
These groups openly oppose the existence of Israel and have consistently launched attacks against Israeli cities.
While Iran didn’t directly fire missiles at Israel before, it funded, trained, and armed these groups much like Pakistan’s role in encouraging terrorism against India, while denying it completely.
Israel, in turn, has always viewed Iran’s nuclear ambitions as a serious existential threat. It fears that if Iran becomes nuclear-armed, it could wipe Israel off the map, which serves as a threat which Iran’s leadership has occasionally hinted at.
After the 2023 Hamas attacks, Israel launched massive operations in Gaza. In response, Iran-backed groups in Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen began their own missile attacks. The fight was no longer just Israel vs. Hamas, it was now more about turning into Iran vs. Israel, step by step.
Escalation in 2024–Early 2025
In April 2024, Iran did something it had never done before . And guess what it could be? It launched hundreds of missiles and drones directly at Israel. Israel’s Iron Dome intercepted most, but the world had witnessed a historic escalation. The idea of a full-blown war between Iran and Israel wasn’t theoretical anymore, rather it had become real.
In the months that followed, Israel stepped up airstrikes across Syria and Lebanon, targeting Iranian arms convoys and Hezbollah bases. Iran responded with more testing, more threats, and more bold declarations that it would defend Gaza, Hezbollah, and its allies.
Then came the moment everything changed.
The February Strike: No Longer Proxy War
In 2025, Israel carried out a deep airstrike inside Iran, not just near the borders, but at a suspected nuclear research site. Several Iranian nuclear scientists and IRGC officers were killed.
Israel claimed it had evidence that Iran was secretly restarting its nuclear weapons program; which is a red line that Tel Aviv wouldn’t allow to be crossed.
For Iran, this was no longer politics. It was an personal attack. Unlike in the past, where Iran relied on its allies to retaliate, this time Iran hit back directly.
March–June 2025: The Mini World War Unfolds
- March 2025
Iran launched over 400 drones and ballistic missiles at Israeli military and energy infrastructure. Some reached their targets; a southern radar site was hit, disrupting Israeli surveillance.
The message was loud and clear:
“You kill our scientists, we hit your land.”
➤ 13 June 2025
Israel responded with a massive operation, striking deep inside Iran once again and this time at multiple nuclear and military sites. Airbases, drone depots, and missile facilities were all hit.
➤ 13–14 June
Iran retaliated immediately, and the Middle East airspace erupted in chaos. Missiles flew across Iran, Iraq, Jordan, and Israel. Civilian airspace was shut down across the region causing huge distress among the world. Even Dubai briefly shut down its skies due to nearby risks.
India’s Role in Iran–Israel Conflict : A Humanitarian Hero
Caught in the crossfire were thousands of international students and workers especially from India were stuck in Tel Aviv, Tehran, and Mashhad. On 18th of June, India launched its Operation Sindhu, a military-led rescue mission.
Through special diplomatic talks, India secured exclusive airspace access from both Iran and Israel, under the condition of no weapons onboard.
Between 20–21 June, Indian Air Force planes flew in and out, evacuating over 1,000 people.
Few other countries managed such swift action and many were delayed or had to evacuate through land and sea routes.
Trump Joins the Fight
Until this point, the United States had avoided direct military action. But by mid of June, the Pentagon stepped in.
U.S. fighter jets launched airstrikes on Iranian Revolutionary Guard bases in eastern Syria.
Jets from Qatar and Jordan began escorting Israeli aircraft.
America wasn’t just helping anymore, it was now fighting to defend its own interests, while openly coordinating with Israel.
Why It Felt Like a World War?
This wasn’t a local fight anymore. Israel was backed by the U.S., UK, and France. Iran was supported by Hezbollah, Houthis, Iraqi militias, and Syrian fighters.
Russia and China did not directly join, but they spoke in favor of Iran and blamed the West for escalating tensions.
Even the cyber battlefield lit up with attacks on government servers, power grids, and communications. From Tehran to Tel Aviv, Gaza to Damascus, Iraq to the Red Sea the conflict spread fast and far. For a moment, the world really did feel on the edge.
Iran–Israel Conflict – Current Condition (As of Late June 2025)
A fragile ceasefire was announced after Trump’s tweet declaring a halt to hostilities. But missile flashes continued here and there.
As of 29 June 2025:
~974 Iranians and ~29 Israelis have died. ( Approximately)
Evacuations are nearly complete.
Ceasefire mostly holds, but tension is still visible.
Iran halted nuclear inspections, escalating global anxiety. Talks may resume in Oman, but no side looks ready to fully back down yet.
This wasn’t World War III, but it reminded us how close the world is to the edge.
Iran–Israel Conflict in 2025 was a storm of old rivalries, modern technology, and global politics.
And even now as the skies fall silent the fear lingers:
“Will the next war be even worse? Or will we finally learn to stop before it’s too late?”
Article by Sruti Bhaumik