A short but intense war between Iran and Israel has come to a halt after a ceasefire was announced following 12 days of fighting.
The conflict began on June 13 when Israel launched a surprise wave of airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear and military sites, including facilities in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan. Israel said the strikes were aimed at weakening Iran’s nuclear program and military capabilities.
Iran quickly responded with hundreds of missiles and drones targeting Israeli cities. Civilian areas were hit, and dozens of people were killed on both sides. The violence escalated further when the United States joined the conflict. US bombers carried out airstrikes on Iranian nuclear sites, and in response, Iran launched missiles at the Al Udeid Air Base of US in Qatar. Most of the missiles were intercepted, and there were no reported casualties.
Continuing on the precedent he has set, US President Donald Trump announced that a ceasefire had been agreed upon on Monday (23), with Iran expected to stop attacks first, followed by Israel. However, both Iran and Israel initially gave mixed signals, and there were fresh strikes even after the announcement. Trump publicly expressed frustration over the violations, urging both sides to respect the deal.
Now, The fighting has finally stopped, and Israel confirmed that it had halted its military operations. Iran also appeared to hold fire. While the ceasefire is now in place, it remains fragile, and tensions are still high. The war has drawn international concern, briefly spiked oil prices, raised fears about wider instability in the Middle East and had global disruptions.
Hundreds of students evacuated
A large-scale evacuation of students from both Iran and Israel was executed during the twelve-day war.
In Iran, India launched Operation Sindhu on June 18 to bring back its citizens. By June 24, around 2,003 Indians, primarily students from cities such as Tehran, Mashhad, Isfahan, and Urmia, had been safely evacuated. The operation began with land transport to Armenia, followed by airlifts to New Delhi. Early batches included 110 students on June 18, followed by hundreds more in subsequent days, including 596 in one flight on June 22. Students described dormitory evacuations and harrowing escapes amid continuous missile warnings.
In Israel, more than 160 Indians stranded in Haifa and Tel Aviv were taken by bus to Jordan, where they awaited flights home. During the crossing of the Jordan River, the convoy came under attack alarms, forcing students to shelter briefly under tight security .
Evacuation efforts were not limited to India. Countries including Australia, China, Germany, the UK and Uganda organised rescues for their nationals from Iran and Israel, with evacuees rerouted via land borders into neighbouring countries.
Modi’s diplomacy of balance
Prime Minister Narendra Modi actively engaged in high-stakes diplomacy, strategically communicating with both nations while maintaining strong ties with the United States.
On June 22, amidst escalating US airstrikes and Israeli attacks on Iran, Modi spoke directly with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian. According to India’s Ministry of External Affairs, Modi “emphasised the urgent need for de‑escalation, advocating for dialogue and diplomacy” and urged the restoration of peace and stability across the region.
The very next day, June 23, Modi placed a call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. He urged restraint, called for an end to the fighting, and reiterated India’s preference for diplomatic solutions.
Modi’s diplomacy during the crisis highlighted India’s ability to navigate complex regional dynamics without compromising national interests. He swiftly engaged both Iran and Israel amid Trump’s self-congratulatory quest for a Nobel Peace Prize coinciding, ironically, with airstrikes on Iran.
India welcomed the reported ceasefire between Iran and Israel, lauding the efforts of the United States and Qatar in facilitating the breakthrough. The government also affirmed its readiness to contribute to diplomatic efforts aimed at resolving the broader conflicts in the region.
