Why are Iran and Israel fighting? Is the US going to war? What to know about attacks
- Israel initiated an air campaign against Iran's nuclear and military facilities.
- The conflict escalated with Iran retaliating against Israeli targets.
- President Donald Trump threatened Iran's supreme leader, while Vice President JD Vance hinted at potential U.S. military intervention.
- While Israel is a U.S. ally, Iran's allies include Russia, China, and North Korea.
What's going on between Iran and Israel?
The conflict has continued for several days, with the two Middle East nations having launched an air war over Israel's attack on Iranian nuclear and military facilities, killing hundreds.
Meanwhile, U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened Iran's supreme leader, calling him an "easy target" but ruling out an assassination attempt, "at least not for now." Also, Vice President JD Vance suggested the U.S. military could get involved if Iran refuses to give up its nuclear enrichment program.
Here's what's happening in the Middle East, and how it got started.
What's going on with Israel and Iran?
On June 12, Israel began an air campaign targeting Iran's nuclear program and leadership, Paste BN reports. The attacks targeted Iran's uranium enrichment facility at Natanz, hit additional targets "at the heart" of the Islamic Republic's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and killed nearly the entire top echelon of Iran's military commanders, Reuters reported.
And Iran struck back, targeting Israel.
Did Israel attack Iran first? Why?
Yes. According to Paste BN, an attack like this is something Israel has long made clear it might eventually do as part of its efforts to prevent Iran from building a nuclear bomb.
What countries have nuclear weapons?
There are currently nine countries that claim to have nuclear weapons or are believed to possess them, the Associated Press reports. They are:
- Russia
- United States
- China
- France
- United Kingdom
- Pakistan
- India
- Israel
- North Korea
Is America going to war with Iran? Iran warns US against joining attack
Trump appeared to indicate that the United States has been involved in the Israeli attack on Iran in June 17 social media posts where he said "we" have control of the skies and "American made, conceived, and manufactured 'stuff'" defeated Iranian defensive equipment, Paste BN reports.
Meanwhile, Iran's supreme leader warned of "irreparable damage" to the U.S. if it joins Israel's air war, saying his country "will not surrender to anyone in the face of imposition," per Paste BN.
Who is the supreme leader of Iran?
Ayatollah Ali Khamenei has been Iran's supreme leader since 1989. Paste BN reports that he has held absolute power over the Islamic republic through popular uprisings, assassinations, and a massive expansion — and now contraction — of Tehran's regional power.
Trump demands 'unconditional surrender'
Khamenei's warning was prompted by Trump, who demanded Iran's “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” in a social media post.
Where is Tehran, Iran?
Iran is a Middle Eastern nation bordered by Turkey and Iraq to the west, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Turkmenistan to the east, the Caspian Sea to the north and the Persian Gulf to the south. Its capital, Tehran, is in the northern part of the country.
Population of Iran
The country has a population of 88.3 million, according to the CIA factbook.
Where is Israel?
On the shores of the Mediterranean Sea, Israel is bordered by Egypt, Jordan, Syria and Lebanon as well as Palestinian territories, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
How many people live in Israel?
Israel has a population of 9.4 million, per the CIA factbook.
Is Iran a US ally? Who are Iran's allies?
The United States is an ally of Israel.
Iran's allies, per This Week, include Russia, China and North Korea.