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Israel-Iran war

After years of simmering tensions, Israel and Iran engaged in a war that both sides say could have existential consequences. Iran has funded attacks on Israel by proxy groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis in Yemen. But the fear that Iran was developing a nuclear weapon was the key driver in Israel’s attack in June 2025.

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Funerals were held in Iran for army generals, nuclear scientists and family members who were killed in Israeli strikes in June.
last updated Jun 28

Israel’s attack

Israel launched air strikes on Iranian military and civilian sites on June 14, saying Iran was on the verge of developing a nuclear weapon. Israel’s assessment conflicted with that of U.S. intelligence officials, who say Iran has not tried to build a nuclear bomb since 2003. Iran struck back at Israel with a barrage of drones and missiles.
Vahid Salemi/Associated Press
Nearly two weeks after the U.S. launched a coordinated strike on Iranian nuclear sites the Pentagon released its official damage assessment.
last updated Jul 3

Nuclear ambitions

Iran says its nuclear program has civilian, not military, purposes. However, international inspectors say Iran’s scientists have enriched uranium to levels approaching weapons grade.
AP Photo/David Smith
A website is offering millions of dollars for the assassination of President Donald Trump after an Iranian cleric placed a fatwa on him.
last updated Thursday

U.S. intervention

At Israel’s request, President Donald Trump ordered the U.S. Air Force to drop 30,000-pound “bunker-buster” bombs on three Iranian nuclear facilities. The strikes led to Iranian retaliation and threatened to draw the United States into a broad Mideast war.
Getty Images

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What the left is saying

Constitutional authority

Many left-leaning sources question President Trump's legal authority to conduct strikes on Iran without explicit congressional approval, with several lawmakers and legal experts characterizing the action as 'unconstitutional' and a violation of the War Powers Act.

Risk of escalation

Numerous reports emphasize the risks of further escalation and regional instability resulting from the U.S. strikes, citing warnings from Democratic leaders and international actors about the dangers of entangling the U.S. in another Middle East conflict without a clear strategy.

Calls for diplomacy

Left-leaning sources and Democratic politicians repeatedly call for diplomacy and restraint, criticizing the Trump administration for acting unilaterally rather than pursuing negotiations or international consensus to address Iran's nuclear program.

What the center is saying

Presidential war powers

Center-oriented sources provide context on the legal ambiguity surrounding the president's authority to launch military strikes without congressional approval, noting both historical precedents and ongoing disputes between the executive and legislative branches.

Congressional response

Coverage emphasizes the divided reaction in Congress, with Republicans generally supporting the strikes and Democrats raising concerns or demanding a vote, highlighting the broader debate over war powers and checks and balances.

Strategic uncertainty

Several reports focus on uncertainty regarding the future course of the conflict, outlining concerns about Iranian retaliation, U.S. military objectives, and the potential for broader regional ramifications.

What the right is saying

Support for decisive action

Many right-leaning sources praise President Trump's 'deliberate' and 'correct' decision to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, often framing it as necessary to eliminate a major security threat and to show American strength.

Party division

Several commentaries note the rare split within Republican ranks, especially among populist and libertarian figures opposing new U.S. military interventions, while establishment conservatives generally endorse the administration's approach.

Legality and precedent

Some sources argue the president's actions are justified by long-standing interpretations of Article II powers, contending that previous presidents have launched similar strikes for national security reasons without new congressional authorization.

What the left media is missing…

What the right media is missing…

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Timeline

July 2025

Key Event
July 2025

Iran’s Ayatollah Ali Khamenei makes 1st appearance since Iran-Israel war

Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, on Saturday, July 5, made a public appearance for the first time since Israel launched airstrikes on Iranian nuclear targets.

June 2025

Key Event
June 2025

War powers bill to keep Trump from further striking Iran fails in Senate

A resolution that would have blocked President Donald Trump from further military intervention in Iran narrowly failed Friday evening in the U.S. Senate.

Key Event
June 2025

Iran arrests 700, executes 3 after ceasefire with Israel

Iran’s Shiite cleric leadership is working to stop a revolution in the country before it can start. The efforts come in the wake of Israel’s and the United States’ attacks on a number of the country’s nuclear facilities.

Key Event
June 2025

Trump rebukes Israel, Iran on ceasefire: ‘Don’t know what the f— they’re doing’

After U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, Trump rebuked both Israel and Iran for violating a ceasefire the United States had announced. Israel sent warplanes to bomb Tehran after claiming that Iran had fired missiles into northern Israel.

Key Event
June 2025

US strikes 3 Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordo, Trump says

The U.S. used six B-2 bombers, as well as bunker-busting bombs, to strike three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, June 21. The sites included Fordo, Natanz and Isfahan.

Key Event
June 2025

Bipartisan push in Congress to keep US out of Israel-Iran conflict

As Trump returned early from the G7 conference in Canada, lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate were drafting resolutions to keep the United States out of the Iran-Israel war. Both resolutions were privileged, meaning a timely vote was required.

Key Event
June 2025

Iran, Israel trade deadly missile attacks; conflict escalates for fourth day

Iran and Israel continued launching missiles at each other on Monday, June 16, with the barrage on Israel hitting locations in central Israel such as Tel Aviv, Petah Tikva, Haifa and Bnei Brak. Israel said it had destroyed 120 missile launchers in Iran and could now operate freely in Iranian skies.

Key Event
June 2025

Israel launches strike on Iran’s nuclear program; regional tensions escalate

Israel’s strike allegedly targeted Iran’s nuclear program, with explosions heard in Tehran, with high ranking military officials and scientists also killed in the attacks.

May 2025

Key Event
May 2025

Trump to announce name change to Persian Gulf while in Middle East: Report

The president announced that the U.S. will begin to call the widely recognized Persian Gulf the “Gulf of Arabia” or the “Arabian Gulf.” The announcement came during a trip to Saudi Arabia and was condemned by Iranian officials as “politically motivated.”

March 2025

Key Event
March 2025

Iran rejects Trump’s nuclear deal offer, leaves door open for indirect talks

Though Iran rejected an initial nuclear deal proposal from the Trump administration, the country stated that it was open to indirect talks, while the president threatened military action and tariffs if Iran refused further negotiations.

Key Event
March 2025

China, Russia and Iran show off naval abilities with joint drills in Gulf of Oman

China, Russia and Iran strengthened military cooperation through “Security Belt-2025,” a joint exercise that simulated maritime attacks, search and rescue operations and vessel inspections near Iran’s Chabahar port.