Timeline: A Recent History of the Israel-Iran Conflict

Israel launched significant attacks on Iran’s nuclear program, heightening fears of war. The conflict has escalated in recent years, with airstrikes becoming commonplace as Israel seeks to disrupt Iran’s military supply routes. As tensions build, the potential for a broader regional conflict remains alarming.

On Friday morning, explosions erupted in Tehran as Israel launched a substantial military strike aimed at Iran’s nuclear program, according to Israeli officials. This latest escalation has raised significant concerns that the ongoing conflict between the two nations may spiral into a full-scale war, potentially engaging the strongest military forces in the Middle East, as tensions continue to simmer.

The Iranian leadership has consistently pledged to eradicate Israel, maintaining support for various regional militias aligned with this objective. In response, Israel regards Iran as an existential hazard, committing to thwart any efforts from the nation to develop nuclear weapons. Over the last year, airstrikes have become the norm as Israel and Iran’s previously covert confrontations have flared into open conflict.

Looking back at recent events in the conflict timeline, it is notable that in 2019, Israel conducted a series of strategic strikes against Iranian allies across Syria, Lebanon, and Iraq. The purpose of these attacks was to disrupt Iran’s efforts to supply its allies with advanced weaponry. Israeli sources alleged that Iran was attempting to establish an arms conduit that would facilitate weapon transfers from Iraq and Northern Syria to Hezbollah in Lebanon, a group long supported by Tehran.

Moreover, Israel intensified its military efforts by targeting vessels believed to be transporting Iranian oil and weapons through vital shipping routes in the eastern Mediterranean and Red Seas. This pattern of military engagement exemplifies Israel’s determination to counter the influence of Iran in the region and curb its capacity for warfare.

Ephrat Livni, a prominent reporter for The Times, covers breaking news on a global scale from her base in Washington. Additionally, Eve Sampson, an emerging journalist covering international affairs, is part of the 2024-25 Times Fellowship class, aimed at nurturing early-career reporters in the industry.

As this situation continues to evolve, the world watches closely, anxious about the potential ramifications such an intensifying conflict may bring to the Middle East and beyond. Striking a delicate balance between military objectives and the looming threat of broader warfare will be crucial in the coming days and weeks, with both nations on high alert.

The recent attack by Israel on Iran’s nuclear facilities marks a significant escalation in the long-standing conflict between both nations. Israel’s efforts to disrupt Iranian military capabilities have intensified in recent years, particularly since 2019. As global attention sharpens, the implications of these developments could be profound — raising fears of a broader war in the Middle East and an existential struggle involving two of the region’s most powerful militaries.

Original Source: www.nytimes.com