On June 24, 2025, US President Donald Trump announced the end of a deadly 12-day war between Iran and Israel. During these 12 days, both countries attacked each other using fighter jets, drones, and powerful missiles. It was the most serious war in West Asia since the 1973 Yom Kippur War.
The war created global tension as it took place in one of the world’s most sensitive regions—full of oil and gas resources. Even a small mistake could have triggered a larger disaster.
This conflict has roots in the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, where 1,200 Israeli civilians were killed. In response, Israel launched a military campaign against Hamas in Gaza. Over time, tensions grew and reached Iran, which supports groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
On June 22, 2025, the US bombed Iran’s nuclear sites. That became a turning point in the war. A day later, Trump announced the war was over.
Unlike previous wars where one side clearly won, this war ended in a stalemate. Iran’s leadership remains in place, and so does Israel’s. But experts believe Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came out stronger.
Before the war, Netanyahu’s political career was in trouble. He was facing serious corruption charges and had lost popularity. But the October 7 attacks gave him a chance to regain control.
Iran tried to fight back by activating its proxy groups across the region—Hezbollah in Lebanon, Houthis in Yemen, and Shia militias in Iraq and Syria. These groups launched missiles and attacks on Israel.
But Israel responded strongly. It bombed Syrian air bases, destroyed Hezbollah’s leadership, and even targeted senior Iranian officials. Iran’s support network in the region, called the "Shia arc," started falling apart.
In a bold move, Israel launched direct airstrikes inside Iran. This had never happened before. The attacks damaged Iran’s nuclear sites and killed key military figures. Iran retaliated with missile strikes, but Israel's Iron Dome system stopped many of them.
The Israeli offensive, named Operation Rising Lion, involved over 200 fighter jets. These missions flew long distances and bombed military targets inside Iran.
President Trump had promised to end the Israel-Iran conflict during his second term. After Israel’s large-scale attack, Trump stepped in to stop further violence. His actions may have helped avoid a larger war, but it was Netanyahu who had already achieved his military goals.
One of Israel's biggest victories came in Syria. The Assad regime was overthrown in December 2024, and a pro-Western government took charge. Israeli airstrikes destroyed Syria’s air and naval forces.
In Lebanon, Hezbollah was hit with heavy airstrikes and ground attacks. Its leader, Hassan Nasrallah, was killed in an Israeli airstrike. With these moves, Israel reduced many regional threats.
By the end of the 12-day war, Iran looked weak. Its nuclear facilities were destroyed, and its military support groups across the Middle East were either defeated or scattered. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei was forced into hiding, and though he claimed Iran would never surrender, the damage was clear.
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Netanyahu is now Israel’s longest-serving Prime Minister, with six terms and 17 years in office. He used the war to regain support and protect his position. Despite failing to prevent the October 7 Hamas attack, he avoided public criticism by blaming military and intelligence agencies.
In contrast, former Prime Minister Golda Meir had resigned after the 1973 Yom Kippur War due to similar intelligence failures. Netanyahu has avoided such responsibility so far.
Netanyahu shares a close bond with Indian PM Narendra Modi. Both leaders have faced long-term threats—Netanyahu from Iran and its proxies, and Modi from Pakistan-backed terrorism. Their common challenges have brought them closer politically and personally.
While both sides claim victory, it’s clear that Netanyahu came out stronger. Iran suffered heavy losses and stood isolated. The 12-day war changed West Asia, but it also saved Netanyahu’s political future and reshaped the region's power balance.
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