The 2026 Iran war: a timeline

Israel strikes Iran; on 22 June the US bombs the nuclear sites at Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan. A ceasefire follows.

Sanctions lifted under the 2015 nuclear deal are reimposed through the “snapback” mechanism.

A violent crackdown on protests in Iran deepens tensions during nuclear talks, as the US assembles its largest regional force since 2003.

US and Israeli strikes on Iran kill Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Iran fires missiles and drones at Israel, US bases and Gulf states.

Iran strikes targets in several Gulf states; tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz stops almost entirely.

Iran’s Assembly of Experts names Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Ali Khamenei.

Israel strikes Iran’s South Pars gas field; Iran retaliates against Qatar’s LNG facilities.

Yemen’s Houthis fire missiles at Israel.

Talks in Islamabad break down and the US imposes a naval blockade on Iran.

The US and Iranian presidents sign a memorandum; the blockades are lifted, and on 28 June both sides agree to stop attacks.

Iran attacks commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz.

The Houthis escalate Yemen’s civil war, threatening the Bab al-Mandab strait.

Brent settles at $115.32 a barrel after a reported Houthi strike on Aden airport and talk of renewed US strikes after the midterms.

Vice-President JD Vance reportedly writes to Iran’s security chief Mohsen Rezaei to revive talks; President Trump says the letter was about medical supplies.