The United States and Israel have launched attacks on Iran despite ongoing talks between Washington and Tehran over Iran’s nuclear program.
Iran responded to Saturday’s attack with missiles and airstrikes across the region, including in Israel, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Iraq.
Recommended stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
Israeli officials said the airstrikes targeted Iran’s military and nuclear infrastructure, as airspace across Israel was closed and emergency measures were put in place. Several other countries in the region also announced airspace closures.
Meanwhile, President Donald Trump said the United States had launched “a major combat operation” in Iran aimed at “removing the threat from the Iranian regime.”
“This administration will quickly learn that no one should challenge the strength and power of the U.S. military,” he said.
The attack came just two days after high-stakes Oman-brokered U.S.-Iranian nuclear negotiations ended without any progress in Geneva. The U.S.-Israeli offensive marks the most serious escalation since the brief but violent June 2025 war.
Below is a timeline of events leading up to Saturday’s attack by the United States and Israel, including attacks, diplomatic overtures, and Iran’s violent response.
June 13, 2025 — Amid ongoing talks between the United States and Tehran, Israel launches a major airstrike against Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Iran counterattacked within hours with massive missile and drone attacks on Israeli cities.
June 22 – The United States attacks Iranian nuclear facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, and President Trump claims the attacks have degraded Tehran’s nuclear program. Iranian officials said the program had been set back but not destroyed.
June 23 – Iran retaliates by firing a missile at Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where U.S. troops are stationed. The missile was intercepted and no casualties were reported.
June 24 – After 12 days of fighting, a US-brokered ceasefire takes effect between Iran and Israel, ending all hostilities. Iran says at least 610 of its citizens have been killed in the war, while Israel claims 28 people were killed on the Iranian side.
July 2 – Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian signs a bill ending cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and banning inspectors from accessing Iran’s nuclear facilities without specific permission from the Supreme National Security Council.
July 22 – Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Iran has no intention of abandoning its uranium enrichment program despite the suspension due to “serious and severe” damage.
August 12 – Iranian police arrest as many as 21,000 people linked to the 12-day war with Israel, according to state media.
August 22 – Iran agrees to resume nuclear negotiations with Britain, France and Germany later this month despite threats of reinstated sanctions.
August 28 – Three European countries activate a mechanism to reinstate UN sanctions against the Islamic Republic for the first time in a decade.
November 1 – Oman calls on both the US and Iran to return to the negotiating table as Iran reiterates its refusal to stop enriching uranium.
November 7 – President Trump says Iran is demanding that the US government lift crippling sanctions on Tehran and that he is open to discussing the issue.
December 28 – Protests erupt in major cities, including Tehran, due to soaring prices due to the sharp depreciation of the rial against the US dollar.
January 8, 2026 – The internet is shut down across Iran following the outbreak of anti-government protests that spread beyond the city. The power outage will continue for more than two weeks.
January 13 – President Trump tells Iranians to “continue protesting,” claims “help is on the way” and claims the U.S. may be preparing military intervention against Tehran. The United States begins to strengthen its military presence off the coast of Iran.
February 6 – Iran and the United States begin indirect nuclear negotiations in Geneva, mediated by Oman, with the aim of reaching an agreement to curb Tehran’s nuclear program.
February 17 – High-level nuclear talks between the United States and Iran resume in Geneva, once again mediated by Oman.
February 22 – Oman confirms another round of talks in Geneva, vowing to “actively pursue” them, but admits major differences remain.
February 26 – Third round of nuclear negotiations concludes in Geneva, with mediator Oman saying “significant progress” has been made and further discussions will be held in Vienna next week.
February 27 – Oman’s foreign minister says Iran has agreed to reduce its current stockpile of nuclear material to the “lowest possible level,” meaning virtually unrefined. US President Donald Trump has said he favors diplomacy, but warned that “all options” remain if diplomacy fails.
February 28 – Israel launches coordinated attacks on Iranian targets, including facilities in and around Tehran. Iran has retaliated by launching airstrikes and missile attacks across the region, including Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and Kuwait.
