Israel attacks Iran: What happened in 2024 when Iran made the first move?

Several videos have emerged on social media showing strikes from inside Tehran after Israel launched an attack.

Israel on Saturday carried out what it called a 'pre-emptive strike' on Iran  even as talks about Tehran's nuclear programme was ongoing between United States and Iran.

Iran supports anti-Israel proxy groups (such as Hezbollah) and has sought advanced nuclear and missile capabilities, while Israel views Iran’s expansion and nuclear ambitions as existential threats. However, this is not the first time that a full-scale conflict has broken out between the two nations.

While the first such conflict broke out in April 14, 2024 when Iran fired missiles and attack drones on Israel, it assumed massive proportions in October 2024 when Iran launched one of its largest direct missile attacks on Israel, often referred to as Operation True Promise II.

What happened in April 2024? 

According to a report in The Indian Express, on April 1, Israel struck the Iranian consulate in Syria, killing 16 persons including several top commanders from Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). On April 13, Iran responded with a direct attack on Israeli soil, utilising as many as 300 missiles and drones. Israel further retailated with a “limited” strike on an Iranian missile defence system in the region of Isfahan.

The conflict of October 2024

In October 2024, over 200 ballistic missiles were launched against Israeli military sites (airbases, Mossad headquarters), causing infrastructure damage, some injuries, and limited civilian casualties. This marked a significant escalation, shifting from proxy and covert clashes toward direct Iranian strikes on Israeli territory.

In retaliation, Israel openly attacked Iran for the first time, striking air defense systems and sites associated with its missile program. According to Israel’s military, three waves of airstrikes were conducted by scores of Israeli fighter-bombers.

Full-blown war in 2025

After multiple rounds of talks between the US and Tehran about the latter's nucleur programme  failed to culminate and Iran said it won't accept the US's offer, Israel conducted Operation “Am KeLavi” (Rising Lion) — a massive air and intelligence operation deep into Iranian airspace targeting nuclear and missile facilities, command sites and air defences. Iran responded with large-scale missile and drone barrages against Israel, firing ballistic missiles and 100 drones.

On June 22, 2025, the US participated in the war, attacking three Iranian nuclear sites. A day later, Iran responded to the US attack by targeting a military base in Qatar used by American troops, causing limited damage.

The 12-day war ended with a ceasefire brokered by the US and Qatar on June 24, 2025.

In the attack caried out on Saturday (February 28), US President Donald Trump confirmed that the United States was involved in the strikes on Iran. Trump said the objective of the operation was to defend the American people and added that the US would move to destroy Iran's missile capabilities, framing the action as a measure to counter security threats.