Israel’s War With Iran: Who Is Stronger, What’s the Real Issue, and Where Is This Headed?

Israel’s war with Iran has escalated into one of the most dangerous military confrontations in recent Middle East history. What began as targeted airstrikes has now exploded into full-scale missile attacks, drone warfare, and regional panic. With the world asking What is the issue between Iran and Israel? Who is militarily stronger? How many missiles has Iran launched?—this article breaks down the key dynamics of the conflict, updated as of June 2025. Whether you’re following from Nairobi, London, or Washington D.C., here’s what you need to know about this unfolding war.

What Is the Issue Between Iran and Israel?

The root of the Iran–Israel conflict lies in decades of ideological rivalry, security threats, and power struggles.

Israel accuses Iran of:

• Sponsoring terrorism via proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
• Developing nuclear weapons and advanced missile systems that threaten Israeli territory.
• Establishing military bases in Syria and Iraq that encircle Israel.

Iran, on the other hand, views Israel as:

• An extension of Western influence in the Middle East.
• A hostile power occupying Palestinian land.
• A constant violator of regional sovereignty due to covert operations, assassinations of Iranian scientists, and cyberattacks.

The latest round of war was triggered by Israeli airstrikes that reportedly hit key Iranian nuclear and military facilities. Tehran responded with massive missile and drone barrages targeting Israeli cities and military bases. The cycle of attack and counterattack has pulled in regional militias and U.S. naval forces, creating a powder keg situation.

Read Also: Israel-Iran Conflict 2025: Trump Orders Tehran Residents to Evacuate as Missile Strikes Escalate

Who Is Stronger, Iran or Israel?

The answer depends on how you define “strength.”

Israel’s Military Strength

• Air Superiority: Israel maintains a cutting-edge air force with F-35 stealth jets and advanced surveillance drones.
• Defense Systems: The Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow-3 systems have successfully intercepted over 90% of incoming threats.
• Precision Strikes: Israeli forces have eliminated senior Iranian commanders and destroyed over a third of Iran’s missile infrastructure within days.

Iran’s Capabilities

• Missile Arsenal: Iran has one of the largest missile stockpiles in the region, including hypersonic weapons like the Fattah-1.
• Proxy Network: Iran operates through regional allies like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Shi’a militias, extending its reach beyond its borders.
• Resilience: Despite Israeli strikes, Iran has continued launching attacks in waves, showing depth in its arsenal.

Verdict: Israel leads in air defense and technology, while Iran has quantity and reach through proxies. Militarily, Israel appears more agile and effective in neutralizing threats quickly.

How Many Missiles Has Iran Shot at Israel?

As of mid-June 2025, Iran has launched:

• At least 370 ballistic missiles targeting Israeli cities such as Tel Aviv, Haifa, and Be’er Sheva.
• Hundreds of drones, some intercepted mid-air, others causing damage to infrastructure.
• One night saw over 270 missiles launched in a coordinated strike across multiple fronts.

Table: Iranian Attacks on Israel (Recent Wave)

While Israel has intercepted most of these projectiles, the volume underscores Iran’s firepower and regional intent.

Who Is Iran’s Closest Ally?

Iran’s most dependable ally is Hezbollah, the Lebanese militant group with a large arsenal of rockets pointed at northern Israel. Hezbollah has:

• Carried out limited attacks on Israeli positions in the north.
• Declared its readiness to open a second front if Israeli operations cross certain red lines.

Other Iranian allies include:

• The Houthis in Yemen, who have targeted Red Sea shipping and Israeli-linked vessels.
• Shi’a militias in Iraq and Syria, coordinating with Iranian IRGC forces.
• Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, active in Gaza and West Bank clashes.

In terms of state relations:

• Syria remains a loyal partner, allowing Iran to move weapons across its territory.
• Russia and China maintain strategic—not military—ties with Iran, focused on trade, arms, and diplomatic leverage.

Iran’s power lies in this “Axis of Resistance”—a loose coalition of non-state actors committed to opposing Israel and U.S. presence in the region.

Read Also: Why Israel Attacked Iran: Uncovering the Urgency Behind the Strike

What’s Next in the Israel–Iran Conflict?

With U.S. warships now positioned off Israel’s coast and diplomatic talks failing, fears of wider war are real. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at a longer campaign to “permanently degrade Iran’s nuclear threat,” while Iran’s leadership vows more “unpredictable” retaliation.

There are three likely trajectories:

1. Full Regional War – If Hezbollah fully engages or the U.S. is targeted.
2. Prolonged Proxy Conflict – Ongoing low-intensity warfare via militias and cyberattacks.
3. Sudden Ceasefire – Brokered under intense international pressure, though unlikely in the short term.

Israel’s war with Iran is no longer just a tit-for-tat exchange—it’s a geopolitical crisis with global implications. Whether it’s the question of who is stronger, or how many missiles have been launched, one thing is clear: both nations are locked in a dangerous escalation that could reshape the Middle East for years. For audiences in Africa, the U.S., and beyond, understanding these dynamics is critical—not just to follow the headlines, but to appreciate the risks this war poses to global stability.