## 🇮🇱🇮🇷 Escalation of the Conflict Between Israel and Iran: From Shadow War to Direct Confrontation
The conflict between Israel and Iran has turned into a **direct military confrontation**, after years of covert operations and proxy attacks. These developments represent a radical change in the nature of the conflict between the two countries.
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### ⚔️ Escalation Timeline: From Proxies to Direct Strikes
* **April 2024:**
Iran launched a direct attack for the first time on Israel using over 300 missiles and drones.
Israel intercepted most of them, but some caused damage and casualties.
This came in response to assassinations and Israeli attacks on Iranian sites in Syria.
* **October 2024:**
Israel executed "Operation Days of Repentance," a wide air campaign targeting Iranian military facilities, including missile factories and air defense systems.
Iran responded with "Operation True Promise 2," launching about 200 missiles at Israeli bases.
Although Israel intercepted most of them, some missiles hit military bases and civilian areas.
* **April 2025:**
Israel targeted the Iranian consulate in Damascus with an airstrike, resulting in the deaths of 16 people, including senior leaders of the Revolutionary Guard.
Iran vowed to respond, escalating tensions.
* **June 13, 2025:**
Israel launched "Operation Rising Lion," the largest military attack against Iran since the Iran-Iraq War.
The operation included more than 200 aircraft and targeted nuclear facilities, military sites, and critical infrastructure in Iran, resulting in a large number of casualties and extensive destruction.
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### 🧨 Strategic Objectives and Challenges
Israel aims to **cripple Iran's nuclear program**, which it considers an existential threat.
The June 2025 strikes targeted major facilities such as **Natanz and Fordow**.
However, analysts are skeptical about Israel's ability to completely eliminate this program, given the fortification and spread of these facilities.
Iran is responding using **drones and ballistic missiles**, which poses a real test for Israeli defense systems such as the Iron Dome and THAAD.
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### 🌍 Regional and Global Implications
* **Yemen:**
Iran-backed Houthi militias carried out attacks on Israeli and international ships in the Red Sea, increasing maritime tensions.
* **Syria:**
The Israeli strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus heightened tensions, and Iran vowed to retaliate.
* **Lebanon:**
There are fears of Hezbollah, the Iranian ally, getting involved, which could lead to greater escalation on Israel's northern front.
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### 🔍 Summary
The conflict between Israel and Iran has moved from the framework of **"shadow war"** to **widespread direct confrontation**, with significant military, humanitarian, and political repercussions in the region.
Both parties show no signs of retreat, and the international community struggles to contain the crisis.
The situation remains volatile, with a significant likelihood of further escalation that could affect the entire Middle East and possibly beyond its borders.
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