The fragile ceasefire between Israel and Iran has so far held, bringing a temporary pause to what appeared to be a rapidly escalating confrontation with global implications. What began as a dramatic exchange of airstrikes has evolved into a delicate balancing act between military aggression, diplomacy, and regional unease.
Here’s what we know so far about the Israel–Iran tensions, from the initial attacks to the current truce.
The initial strikes: Israel targets Iran
On Friday, 21 June, Israel reportedly launched airstrikes inside Iranian territory, targeting a radar installation near Isfahan, home to key nuclear facilities. Although Iran acknowledged an attack took place, state media denied any damage to nuclear infrastructure.
In a show of restraint, Iranian officials played down the incident, calling it “a failed operation”, while global media speculated about the message behind the limited Israeli strike: retaliation, but calculated.
Iranian retaliation and wider fallout
Within 48 hours, Iran responded, not with full-scale military strikes but by activating regional proxies. Iranian-backed forces across Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq intensified operations against Israeli targets and interests.
The situation worsened when explosions were reported near Al-Udeid Air Base in Qatar, home to US military assets. While no group officially claimed responsibility, the United States accused Iranian-backed militias, warning of consequences if US personnel or interests were harmed.
US military strikes inside Iran
Amid rising tensions, the United States conducted targeted airstrikes inside Iran, reportedly hitting sites linked to the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps). Pentagon officials described the strikes as “limited and precise,” aimed at deterring further retaliation by Iranian proxies following earlier attacks on US bases in Iraq and Qatar.
Iran condemned the US strikes as “an act of aggression”, accusing Washington of escalating the conflict unnecessarily. However, no Iranian casualties have been officially confirmed.
These strikes marked a serious escalation and raised fears that the Israel–Iran standoff could spiral into a broader regional war involving the United States directly, a scenario many diplomats have sought to avoid.
US involvement: from airstrikes to diplomacy
At the same time, Washington stepped up its diplomatic outreach, dispatching senior envoys to Israel, Gulf states, and Iran’s neighbours in an urgent push for de-escalation.
While military officials warned Iran against further retaliation, US diplomats urged both sides to avoid triggering a broader regional conflict. Behind the scenes, American allies including Qatar and Oman played key roles in mediating a ceasefire framework.
The ceasefire, and its conditions
By late Tuesday, 25 June, both sides had agreed to a ceasefire, though the exact terms remain undisclosed. Sources suggest Iran committed to halting proxy attacks across the region, while Israel agreed to pause further direct strikes and refrain from targeting nuclear infrastructure.
The truce was reportedly brokered via Qatar and Oman, both of which have maintained communication channels with Tehran.
Violations and uncertainty
Despite the ceasefire, isolated incidents have continued. Iranian state media accused Israeli forces of violating the agreement by deploying drones near Lebanon. Meanwhile, Israel claimed rocket fire from southern Syria late Tuesday breached the truce, though it did not officially respond militarily.
So far, neither side has walked away from the ceasefire, but both remain on high alert.
Regional impact: flights and security measures
Cyprus has been directly affected, with 17 special flights operating today from Larnaca airport to Israel and Jordan, aiding citizens returning home amid heightened security. Other airports across the region, including Amman and Doha, are operating under tightened safety protocols.
A tense calm
While the worst appears to have been averted- for now- analysts warn the ceasefire is fragile. With underlying issues unresolved and proxy groups still active, the risk of renewed conflict remains high.
Israel–Iran tensions have not disappeared- they’ve simply entered a quieter phase. Whether this truce holds may depend less on diplomacy and more on whether both sides believe they’ve made their point.
Also read: Trump lashes out at Israel and Iran for breaking ceasefire
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