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This Week in Explainers: What's the latest conflict between Israel and Iran all about?
After Israel targeted Iran's nuclear programme on Friday, the two regional powers have been exchanging constant fire. The world remains on edge amid growing fear of an all-out war in West Asia. But how did Israel and Iran get here? We talk about this, the spreading LA protests and more in our weekly roundup read more
Locals look at the fire at an impact site following missile attack from Iran on Israel, at central Israel June 15. The two sides have been trading strikes as the conflict escalates. Reuters
West Asia is on the brink of war yet again, as Israel and Iran attack each other. It started in the early hours on Friday (June 13), when Israel targeted Iranian nuclear sites and took out top commanders and nuclear sites. The attack on the Islamic Republic was the largest since its war with Iraq in the 1980s .
'Blood for blood,' the Iranian military swore. Then Iran launched hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel. The two sides have been exchanging strikes overnight since late Friday. Explosions were heard in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Tehran as the two sides continue to trade strikes. As tensions escalate, it remains to be seen where this conflict goes.
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The United States saw unprecedented scenes throughout the week. The Los Angeles protests over immigration escalated as the Trump administration deployed the National Guard and Marines. The US president clashed with California Governor Gavin Newsom, with Trump even suggesting his arrest. The demonstrations soon spread to other parts of the country – New York City, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Dallas and other cities in Texas, among others.
There is growing anger against Trump, who celebrated his 79th birthday on Saturday (June 14). It fell on the same day as the 250th anniversary of the US Army . A grand military parade was held in Washington, DC, as thousands participated in 'No Kings' rallies against Potus across the country.
A US Army soldier walks past a Bradley fighting vehicle staged in West Potomac Park ahead of the military parade commemorating the Army's 250th anniversary and coinciding with Donald Trump's 79th birthday. AP
All this and more in our weekly wrap of the big headlines from around the world.
1. It's Israel vs Iran again. But this time, the situation looks a lot more grave. Early Friday, Israel launched airstrikes against Iran, targeting its nuclear and military installations. In a big blow to the Islamic Republic, several of its top generals, including the head of its elite Revolutionary Guards, Hossein Salami, and nuclear scientists, were killed. But why did Israel attack Iran? Will this lead to a full-blown war in West Asia? We explain.
Smoke rises after a missile attack in Tel Aviv, Israel, Friday, June 13. The two sides have been striking each other over the past two days. AP
2. Iran retaliated against Israel's Operation Rising Lion with a barrage of missiles . There was intense fighting between the two sides on the intervening night of Friday and Saturday. There were explosions in Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Tehran. Three people were killed in Israel and dozens injured; there were also reports of a strike near a key military facility in Tel Aviv. Did Israel's Iron Dome and other famed air defence systems fail? We explain .
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3. West Asia is on the edge of a full-blown war. The possibility of a lengthy conflict is real. But which side is stronger? How does the Israeli military compare with Iran's? This piece takes a look.
A missile is launched during an air defence drill in an undisclosed location in Iran, in this handout image obtained on January 12. Iran launched hundreds of missiles against Israel during the ongoing conflict. Iranian Army/WANA handout via Reuters
4. Now let's move our attention to the US. Los Angeles has been gripped by immigration protests, which started on June 6. The anger only escalated after the Trump administration deployed the National Guard . But what triggered the stir? A rumour of raids at a hardware store .
Demonstrators gather near police officials standing guard, as protests against federal immigration sweeps continue, in Los Angeles, California, June 13. Reuters
5. Amid escalating tensions in West Asia and growing protests against Trump, Washington, DC witnessed a spectacle – a rare military parade. It was to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the US Army. And it coincided with the US president's 79th birthday. Dozens of tanks and other military hardware took centre stage at the national capital. (Don't miss the robot dogs.) As the parade unfolded, huge crowds attended the 'No Kings' protests across the country. Here are the highlights .
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US President Donald Trump salutes during the US Army's 250th Birthday parade, on the same day of his 79th birthday, in Washington, DC, on June 14. Reuters
6. In its crackdown on illegal immigrants, the US administration has often been under fire for inhumane treatment. A few days ago, a video of an Indian student being handcuffed and pinned down at an airport in New Jersey went viral. The Indian Embassy in New York stepped in, after which the US Embassy said that it would not tolerate the abuse of visas. The Indian government later said the detained student entered the US without a valid visa. Here's how the controversy started .
I witnessed a young Indian student being deported from Newark Airport last night— handcuffed, crying, treated like a criminal. He came chasing dreams, not causing harm. As an NRI, I felt helpless and heartbroken. This is a human tragedy. @IndianEmbassyUS #immigrationraids pic.twitter.com/0cINhd0xU1 — Kunal Jain (@SONOFINDIA) June 8, 2025
7. Pakistan's notorious 313 Brigade was back in focus after Senator Sherry Rehman evaded questions regarding it during a recent interview. What is this extremist group? What is its connection with al-Qaeda? answers the questions.
8. One of our most-read explainers of the week is about the F-35. It's the aircraft that Trump wants India to buy from the US. But it seems like America itself might not want it. The Lockheed Martin F-35 stealth fighter jet is seeing reduced orders for its primary buyer, the US military. But why?
That covers all the big world news you should know about before you prep for the coming week. If you want to know more about the Israel-Iran conflict, you will find our explainers here .
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