Iran-Israel Proxy War: Will It Lead to a Wider Conflict?

In response, Iran has launched more than 100 drones at Israel. It marks the latest escalation in an ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel. But what happens now? NPR's Leila Fadel talks with journalist Kim Ghattas in Beirut about how far the Israel - Iran war could spread and whether other Middle East powers are bracing for a wider conflict. Tensions between two Middle Eastern heavyweights have erupted into a full-fledged Israel ‑ Iran war 2025. What’s happening now? In the latest twist, Israel ’s Operation Rising Lion unleashed a devastating wave of airstrikes on Iran ’s military and nuclear infrastructure—including the hardened Natanz enrichment complex—on June 13, 2025. In a post–October 7th world, Israel believes that an Iranian bomb poses an existential risk to Israeli security. Thanks to war in Gaza and Lebanon, Israel has dealt significant blows to Iran 's proxy network, particularly Hezbollah. Moreover, back in October, Israel had already taken out some of Iran 's air defense. These Iranian- operations are an unmistakable warning to Israel and America. But is Iran really prepared to make maximum use of its proxies? How far the Islamic Republic goes in mobilising its client militias will be dictated by the success or failure of the IDF ground operations in Gaza—though escalation could result either way. As a result, the breakout of war between Israel and Iran last week was not surprising. Nor was the fact that Israel struck Iranian nuclear facilities and military sites across a wide geographical area and that it targeted nuclear scientists and military leaders. Equally unsurprising was Iran ’s response: missiles launched at Israel , directed at military and strategic targets—some of which. For years, Israel and Iran engaged in a shadow war , utilizing proxy forces and covert operations. However, on October 1, 2024, this conflict escalated into open warfare as Iran launched a massive missile attack on Israel . What was once a covert conflict waged through proxy groups, cyberattacks, and intelligence operations now threatens to become a full-scale state-to-state war . Understanding the factors behind this transformation—and its implications for regional stability—is more urgent than ever.