Timeline: 2026 Iran war

A US- and UK-backed coup d'état deposed Iranian Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, strengthening the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi after the nationalization of Iran’s oil industry.

The 1979 revolution overthrew the shah; Iran became an Islamic republic and severed diplomatic ties with the United States and Israel.

During the Iran–Iraq War, the US provided economic, intelligence, and indirect military support to Iraq; Iran increased regional proxy engagement, including backing Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Iran’s AMAD Project was suspended, according to the article, by order of Ali Khamenei.

Iran’s nuclear program became a sustained issue of diplomatic contention internationally, according to the article’s background summary.

The US–Iran conflict became direct when President Donald Trump ordered the assassination of Qasem Soleimani.

The United States withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action led to re-imposition of sanctions on Iran and, per the article, a turn toward force over diplomacy in relations between the US and Iran.

Israel and Iran exchanged strikes as part of the 2024 Iran–Israel conflict, amid broader escalation after the start of the Gaza war.

Israel and Iran again exchanged strikes, continuing the escalation described in the article’s background.

Iran and Israel fought the Twelve-Day War, which included the United States strikes on Iranian nuclear sites.

Massive nationwide anti-government protests began in Iran, driven by an economic crisis, collapse of the rial, and rising prices; the protests included calls for regime change.

Trump threatened a “lock and loaded” military intervention if Iran killed peaceful protesters.

One of the deadliest incidents in the crackdown on protests occurred, according to the article’s summary of the 2026 Iran massacres.

A second deadliest incident in the protest crackdown occurred, per the article’s description of the 2026 massacres of protesters.

Trump expressed support for Iranian anti-government protesters and stated that “help is on the way.”

Trump announced a US “armada” was heading to the Middle East, including the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln and guided-missile destroyers.

Iran and the US held indirect nuclear negotiations in Muscat, Oman; a second round was scheduled in Geneva.

A Carrier Strike Group 3 formation sailed in the Arabian Sea during the US military buildup described as preceding the war.

Trump ordered the aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford and its supporting warships to sail to the Middle East.

US officials told Reuters that the US military was preparing for a broad, weeks-long campaign against Iran that could target state and security infrastructure.

The US buildup was described as the largest in the Middle East since the 2003 invasion of Iraq, according to the article.

In the 2026 State of the Union Address, Trump accused Iran of reviving nuclear weapons efforts and developing advanced missile capabilities, warning the US was prepared to act.

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said a “historic” agreement to avert conflict was “within reach” ahead of renewed Geneva talks, while reiterating Iran’s stated opposition to nuclear weapons and its asserted right to peaceful nuclear technology.

Oman’s foreign minister Badr Al-Busaidi said a “breakthrough” had been reached, describing Iranian commitments including not stockpiling enriched uranium and accepting full IAEA verification; other US statements characterized the talks differently.

Trump, traveling on Air Force One, gave the order to proceed with Operation Epic Fury, according to the article.

US and Israeli strikes on Iran began, using missiles, drones, and Israeli fighter jets; Israel referred to its operation as Operation Roaring Lion, and the article notes low-cost one-way attack drones were used in combat for the first time in this context.

Strikes hit areas including the Pasteur Street district in Tehran; Israel reported striking numerous military targets, and the article describes coordinated cyberattacks leading to a near-total internet blackout in Iran lasting over 60 hours.

Damage was reported to residential buildings in Sanandaj following a military strike, according to the article’s reporting summary.

A sports hall in Lamerd was bombed during a girls’ practice, killing at least 18 civilians, according to the article.

Israel declared a state of emergency, citing expectation of an Iranian response; the article describes sirens, warnings to remain in protected areas, and hospital operations moved underground.

Iran launched missiles against Tel Aviv, Haifa, and US bases in the Persian Gulf, naming its response Operation True Promise IV.

Iran targeted multiple US military bases across the region, including sites in Bahrain, Qatar, Kuwait, and the United Arab Emirates, according to the article’s hostilities section.

Trump released a video statement describing the US strikes’ purpose as effectively regime change, and called on IRGC members to lay down weapons or “face certain death,” according to the article.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was assassinated in the strikes, with Iranian state media later announcing his death; the state declared 40 days of mourning.

Iranian state media announced Khamenei had been killed; the article also reports the creation of an Interim Leadership Council and continued exchanges of strikes.

Iran targeted shipping near Oman and traffic through the Strait of Hormuz slowed to a standstill, with many freight ships stalled, according to the article.

The US and Israel attacked the Natanz Nuclear Facility, and the article also reports strikes on Tehran’s Gandhi and Khatam-al-Anbia hospitals; the US embassy in Kuwait was struck and then closed indefinitely.

Qatar shot down two Iranian Sukhoi Su-24 aircraft, described in the article as the first nation to shoot down an Iranian aircraft in the conflict.

Hezbollah and Israel exchanged strikes, with Hezbollah stating retaliation for Khamenei’s killing; Lebanon announced a ban on Hezbollah military activities, while Israel struck locations including Beirut and the Beqaa Valley.

US and Israeli strikes reportedly destroyed Iran’s Supreme National Security Council headquarters and other major sites in Tehran, and debris damaged Golestan Palace, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The proximity of strikes near Bushehr prompted Rosatom to suspend construction on new units at the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant and evacuate non-essential staff, according to the article.

Israel’s defense minister Israel Katz authorized a ground invasion of Lebanon, according to the article’s hostilities narrative.

The IDF announced an F-35I shot down an Iranian Yak-130 over Tehran, described as the first F-35 kill of a manned aircraft in air-to-air combat.

A ballistic missile launched from Iran was intercepted by NATO integrated air defense systems as it entered Turkish airspace; Turkey asserted its right to self-defense, while Iran attributed the incident to a technical anomaly.

The Iranian Navy frigate IRIS Dena was sunk in the Indian Ocean by a US Navy submarine south of Galle, Sri Lanka; Sri Lankan forces conducted rescue and recovery operations.

The article reports damaged buildings in Tehran following continued US–Israeli strikes during this phase of the conflict.

A US–Israeli airstrike destroyed an indoor arena at Tehran’s Azadi Sport Complex, according to the article.

Azerbaijan reported Iranian drones struck the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, including damage at Nakhchivan International Airport, leading to diplomatic escalation; Iran denied responsibility and suggested a false-flag attack.

WHO reported that 13 healthcare sites in Iran had been hit during the conflict, according to the article.

European states including Italy, the Netherlands, and Spain confirmed warship deployments to defend Cyprus amid threats of further strikes; Spain sent the frigate Cristóbal Colón.