Are the United States and Iran at War in 2025?

As of 13:00 EDT we are not at war. Read further for details in the escalations.

As of June 18, 2025, the United States is not engaged in a declared war with Iran, but tensions have escalated significantly, raising concerns about a broader conflict. The ongoing Israel-Iran conflict, which intensified after Israeli airstrikes on Iranian nuclear and military sites on June 13, 2025, has drawn U.S. involvement through military and intelligence support for Israel (Council on Foreign Relations, 2025). Iran’s retaliatory missile and drone attacks on Israel, coupled with threats from Iranian-backed militias in Iraq and Syria to target U.S. bases, have heightened fears of a regional war (Barnes et al., 2025).

The U.S. has deployed additional forces to the Middle East, with approximately 40,000 troops on high alert across bases in the region. President Donald Trump has signaled a dual approach, expressing interest in nuclear negotiations while warning of severe consequences if Iran advances its nuclear program (Associated Press, 2025). Iranian officials have prepared missiles for potential strikes on U.S. bases if the U.S. directly intervenes, particularly targeting the Fordow nuclear facility (Barnes et al., 2025). The collapse of scheduled U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman on June 15 underscores the diplomatic impasse (Associated Press, 2025).

While no direct U.S.-Iran military engagements have been reported, the risk of escalation remains high, especially if Iranian proxies resume attacks on U.S. forces or shipping in the Red Sea. Analysts warn that U.S. involvement could spiral into a broader conflict, though Trump has publicly opposed direct intervention (Associated Press, 2025). The situation remains volatile, with diplomacy faltering and military posturing intensifying.

References
Associated Press. (2025, June 17). Intense Israeli airstrikes target Iran’s capital. Retrieved from https://t.co/GqXYXRtLtv
Barnes, J. E., Fassihi, F., Schmitt, E., & Cooper, H. (2025, June 17). Iran is preparing missiles for possible retaliatory strikes on U.S. bases, officials say. The New York Times. Retrieved from https://www.nytimes.com
Council on Foreign Relations. (2025, May 26). U.S. relations with Iran, 1953–2025. Retrieved from https://www.cfr.org