From Proxy War to Open War: The 48 Hours That Changed Everything
In a night that shocked global observers and rattled strategic planners, Iran launched a massive missile and drone attack on Israel, sending over 150 ballistic missiles and more than 100 drones deep into Israeli territory. The attack, reportedly codenamed “Operation True Promise III”, was Tehran’s direct retaliation for Israel’s Operation Rising Lion, which had targeted Iranian nuclear facilities and killed several key scientists.
What makes this moment historic is not just the sheer scale of Iran’s strike, but the fact that several missiles managed to breach Israel’s Iron Dome — a system often hailed as the world’s most advanced air defense shield. This raises a terrifying question: Is the Middle East sleepwalking into a full-scale regional war?
In this article, we’ll explore the origins of this conflict, the technological and strategic evolution that brought us here, the current state of military escalation, and what this means for global stability, diplomacy, and security in West Asia.
How the Iran-Israel Shadow War Finally Turned Into Open Conflict
The Iran-Israel conflict is not new. For decades, both nations have engaged in covert sabotage, cyber warfare, and proxy conflicts across the region — from Lebanon and Syria to Iraq and Yemen. Iran backs groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, while Israel, often supported by the United States, has conducted targeted strikes on Iranian assets in Syria and even inside Iran itself.
However, what happened under Operation Rising Lion was a major escalation. Israeli airstrikes reportedly killed senior IRGC officers and top nuclear scientists, hitting underground bunkers near Natanz and Karaj, and sending a direct message to Tehran: Your nuclear ambitions won’t go unchecked.
Iran responded not through a proxy, but directly. Its Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) launched missiles and drones into Israeli territory, making it one of the most direct and large-scale confrontations between these two regional powers in recent history.
The Night the Iron Dome Was Breached: What Iran’s Strike Exposed
For years, Israel’s Iron Dome missile defense system has symbolized technological supremacy in the region — intercepting rockets from Gaza and short-range missiles with unmatched precision. But Iran’s recent attack exposed its limits.
According to initial reports, dozens of Iranian missiles bypassed Israel’s multi-layered defense systems, striking near Tel Aviv, Haifa, and critical military installations, including the IDF’s Northern Command.
JUST IN: 🇮🇷🇮🇱 Iranian hypersonic missile strikes Tel Aviv, Israel. pic.twitter.com/OeObLhUAa7
— BRICS News (@BRICSinfo) June 13, 2025
This is the current situation in Israel’s capital — devastated by Iranian missile strikes... Obviously Israel will retaliate in a worse way but did we witness anything like this during Operation Sindoor in India?
— Mr Sinha (@MrSinha_) June 14, 2025
No.
Had we gone into a full-scale war, such scenes might’ve become… pic.twitter.com/Df2N85Cb7A
Why Did the Iron Dome Fail?
- Swarming Tactics: Iran used drones and decoys to saturate Israeli defenses.
- Missile Diversification: A mix of ballistic, cruise, and suicide drones overwhelmed detection systems.
- Strategic Targeting: Civilian panic and military disruption were intended effects.
Three Israeli civilians were confirmed dead, and several military and radar facilities suffered damage. Although Israel intercepted many threats, the ones that got through were enough to trigger international alarm. This marks a critical turning point in the Middle East’s security architecture. If Israel’s vaunted Iron Dome can be breached, no country in the region feels entirely secure anymore.
From Washington to Delhi: How the World Is Responding to the Escalation
The immediate aftermath of the Iranian strike saw IDF calling for emergency military readiness, with reservist mobilization and air patrols intensified over Israeli skies. While Israel stopped short of launching an immediate counter-retaliation, sources confirm that a calculated military response is being planned. Meanwhile, U.S. forces in the region reportedly assisted Israel in intercepting part of the missile wave, especially near key American assets. Oil prices spiked sharply as shipping routes across the Persian Gulf came under scrutiny.
Global Reactions:
- United Nations called for de-escalation but failed to pass a joint resolution.
- United States condemned the Iranian strike, reaffirming support for Israel.
- Russia and China urged diplomatic restraint but criticized unilateral escalation by Israel.
- India expressed concern, with Foreign Minister Jaishankar reiterating the need for stability in West Asia.
Israel’s traditional allies are urging caution, but the military-industrial reality on the ground suggests that another round of retaliation is imminent, which could pull in Lebanon’s Hezbollah, Iraqi militias, or even Syrian airspace.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Middle East Crisis
This conflict has far-reaching implications, not just for West Asia, but for global security, oil markets, and diplomatic alignments.
Strategic Implications:
- Nuclear Non-Proliferation at Risk: If Iran believes it’s being targeted for its nuclear ambitions, it may double down.
- U.S. Policy Crossroads: America’s support for Israel may be tested as Iran’s response grows bolder.
- India’s Strategic Dilemma: With interests in both Chabahar Port (Iran) and defense trade with Israel, New Delhi must navigate carefully.
The most alarming aspect? The erosion of deterrence. When nations start bypassing traditional proxy channels and directly attack each other with strategic weapons, the risk of miscalculation skyrockets. Unless a diplomatic breakthrough occurs, we may witness a new Middle East war, not just in rhetoric but in blood and fire.
What we’re seeing isn’t just a military exchange — it’s the collapse of diplomatic red lines in one of the world’s most volatile regions. Iran’s decision to “open the gates of hell” and breach the Iron Dome shows that the Middle East is entering a new era of direct confrontation, not proxy warfare. Whether this escalates into full-scale war or is arrested by global diplomacy depends on the next 48–72 hours. But one thing is clear: this is no longer a shadow war. This is open, unfiltered conflict.
