On 24th June 2025, US President Donald Trump declared a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. This marked the end of the 12-day war that began on 13th June.
This is being compared to the Six-Day War of 1967. Israel, a Jewish state, was formed in 1948. Though small in area, it proved its mettle in the 1967 conflict. The Six Day War in 1967 changed the map of the Middle East, and Israel created a new identity. Before the war, people thought that Israel would be wiped out. But Israel defeated three of its neighbouring countries – Egypt, Syria and Jordan. It occupied the areas of Sinai, Golan, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Israel proved the superiority of its army back then.
But Iran, which is 1,500 km away from Israel, has never been Israel’s equal. Despite this, Iran has proved that it has the resources, patience, and ability to fight adverse circumstances. It has achieved success by surrounding Israel on seven fronts. These fronts are Gaza, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, the West Bank, Yemen, and Iran itself.
Also read: Ceasefire announced after Iran hit US base in Qatar
A win claimed by both nations
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a TV address on Tuesday night. He claimed he had succeeded in achieving his goal in the 12-day war. He said this historic win will be remembered for generations. But on the other front, Iran has also declared this a victory. So, what did Israel achieve from the war?
Israel’s claim
After the ceasefire was announced, a post appeared on the x account of Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The post said, “Those who know the people of Iran and its history understand them. They know that Iran is not a nation that will surrender.” But despite his bravado, one cannot deny that the Iranian nuclear programme has suffered a setback. Iran had been working on uranium enrichment in Natanz, Fordo, and Isfahan for decades. All these sites came under Israeli and US strikes during the 12-day war. Many Iranian scientists lost their lives. War wreaked destruction not just on infrastructure. It also presented Iran with another challenge. This challenge is to prepare another generation of scientists.
Israel dominated the war, showcased its strength, and kept the entire airspace under its control. But its objectives were not achieved as well as in 1967. In the 1967 war, Israel not only dominated but also gained territories. An equally big win could have only come through a successful coup in Iran. Alternatively, it could have come from regime change orchestrated by Israel and the West.
Israel’s prepared attack
Israel had not attacked Iran suddenly. It had prepared for this attack. First, it attacked the groups supported by Iran. It eliminated the top leadership of Hezbollah. It weakened Hamas to a great degree. Only after this, it attacked Iran, ensuring Tehran did not have support from these proxies.
Iran’s Goals
Israel was supported by the US in the war. It also had support from other Western countries in international forums. However, Iran stood alone in this war. Despite the losses it suffered, Iran was able to penetrate Israeli defence systems too. Iran’s missile programme has left a mark. Neither the strength of Iran’s ballistic missiles nor its nuclear programme has been destroyed. There is even some news that Iran had removed the stockpiles before the attack. If Iran has stockpiles, it means that Iran’s nuclear threat to Israel has not yet diminished.
Talmiz Ahmed, former Indian ambassador to Saudi Arabia, said, “The reports coming from the Pentagon show that Iran’s nuclear program has not been destroyed.” He mentioned that Iran’s nuclear program may have slowed down now, but it has not been destroyed. No radioactivity has been found so far. TBy the 12th day, Israel started feeling it would be better off. A ceasefire would be beneficial. Iran’s enriched uranium reserves were not destroyed in Saturday’s bombing,s according to the Pentagon’s initial assessment.
Iran showed efficiency in retaliating. Ten percent of its missiles penetrated Israel’s Iron Dome. It could have continued the war and stood its ground for months. Understanding this, Netanyahu had to agree for a ceasefire. Iran has also learnt about its strengths and weaknesses, as well as those of Israel, through this conflict. A coup in Iran is not possible either. It is a big country with a population of about 10 crore and a huge area. Israel requires large ground forces to change power in Iran. But this isn’t possible when Israel does not even have people to fight in Gaza.
Iran’s losses
Iran suffered damage not just to its nuclear facilities and infrastructure, but damage to its intellectual power and human resources. Iran lost its top military officials and scientists in the war. Many of them were killed on the very first day of the conflict. This revealed the gaping holes in the Iranian security system. Iran’s air defence system was not very effective either.
On Iran’s nuclear policy, Talmiz Ahmed said, “Iran should have stopped its entire nuclear program by 2003. Alternatively, it should have made an atomic bomb. After 2003, in the entire 22 years, Iran could neither make a bomb nor gain international trust. Iran had to suffer losses on both sides.”
Iran has not been able to increase its conventional military power sufficiently. It cannot boast of taking on the US. It was not even able to save itself from the Israeli attacks. Iran retaliated and struck the US airbase in Qatar to save its honour. They released a warning in advance.
For all latest updates Follow theviralmail on X, Facebook, and Instagram
