Israel and Iran have opened a new chapter in their long history of conflict. Israel launched a major attack with strikes early Friday that set off explosions in the Iranian capital of Tehran.

Tensions soared as Israel targeted Iranian air defenses, prompting stern warnings from Tehran and fears of a wider war. Decades of shadow battles—supporting militias, secret missions, and nuclear anxieties—are often overlooked in news briefs.

Israel strikes Iran after neutralizing Hezbollah as Tehran’s response falters, exposing deep regional shifts and vulnerabilities.

The Lebanese militant group Hezbollah was long considered Iran’s first line of defense in case of a war with Israel