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The relationship between Israel and Iran is a complex tapestry woven with threads of ancient history, shifting geopolitical alliances, and ideological clashes. Once covert allies, these two regional powers have become bitter adversaries, locked in a multifaceted "shadow war" that frequently spills into overt confrontation and threatens wider regional instability.



From Ancient Ties to Early Cooperation

Remarkably, the earliest interactions between the ancestors of modern-day Israelis and Iranians were often characterized by cooperation. In the 6th century BCE, Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, famously allowed Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, a pivotal moment in Jewish history. This period of Persian rule is largely viewed favorably in Jewish tradition, highlighting a historical precedent of benevolence and religious tolerance. Biblical texts like Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther attest to the presence and experiences of Jews in Persia, with figures like Daniel also holding significant positions.

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Fast forward to the 20th century, following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Iran under the Pahlavi dynasty became one of the first Muslim-majority countries to recognize Israel. Driven by a shared apprehension of Arab nationalism and a desire to counter Soviet influence, a strategic, albeit discreet, alliance formed. This "periphery doctrine," championed by Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, sought to forge alliances with non-Arab states like Iran, Turkey, and Ethiopia to circumvent the hostile Arab states surrounding Israel.

During this period, cooperation between Iran and Israel was extensive. Israel provided expertise in agriculture, engineering, and security, while Iran became a major oil supplier to Israel, particularly after Arab nations boycotted Israel following the Six-Day War. Trade ties flourished, and there was even significant military and intelligence cooperation, though largely kept covert to avoid provoking Arab nations. While the Shah maintained mutually beneficial ties, it's also important to note that he never established full diplomatic relations with Israel and often voiced support for the Palestinian cause, indicating a nuanced stance that sometimes gets oversimplified in historical narratives.



The Iranian Revolution: A Seismic Shift

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran marked a dramatic and irreversible turning point. The overthrow of the pro-Western Shah and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's anti-Western, anti-Zionist regime fundamentally reshaped Iran's foreign policy. Israel, once a strategic partner, was immediately denounced as the "Little Satan" (with the United States being the "Great Satan") and an illegitimate entity.

Diplomatic and commercial ties were severed, and the Israeli embassy in Tehran was symbolically transformed into the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) embassy. The new Iranian government embraced a revolutionary ideology that championed the Palestinian cause and actively sought to undermine Israel's existence, making opposition to Israel a central tenet of its political identity. This ideological shift was also driven by a desire to assert Iran's leadership in the Islamic world and put US-allied Arab regimes on the defensive.


The Era of Hostility and Proxy Warfare

Since the early 1980s, the relationship has been defined by deep-seated hostility and a pervasive proxy conflict across the Middle East. Key aspects of this antagonism include:

  • Support for Anti-Israel Groups: Iran became a significant patron of various Lebanese and Palestinian militant groups, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Palestinian territories. These groups have engaged in numerous conflicts and attacks against Israel, acting as extensions of Iran's regional influence.

  • The Nuclear Program: Israel views Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, fearing that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its program is purely for peaceful purposes. This concern has driven much of Israel's strategy, leading to a series of alleged covert operations, cyberattacks (like Stuxnet), and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists aimed at delaying or disrupting Iran's nuclear ambitions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed serious concerns about Iran's uranium enrichment levels, which far exceed civilian needs and approach weapons-grade purity.

  • Regional Rivalries and Proxy Battlegrounds: The rivalry has played out in various regional conflicts. In the Syrian Civil War, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes against Iranian military installations and Iran-backed militias, aiming to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent military foothold near its borders. Similarly, both nations have supported opposing sides in conflicts like the Yemeni Civil War, where Iran backs the Houthi rebels, who have also launched attacks toward Israel.

  • Direct Confrontations: While often a "shadow war," there have been instances of direct military confrontation, particularly since the escalation of the Middle Eastern crisis in late 2023. The 2024 Iran–Israel conflict marked a significant shift, with direct exchanges of missile and drone attacks. On April 1, 2024, Israel reportedly bombed an Iranian consulate complex in Damascus, killing senior Iranian officials. Iran retaliated on April 13, 2024, with a large-scale missile and drone barrage against Israel. Israel responded with further strikes in Iran on April 19, 2024. This pattern continued, escalating dramatically in June 2025. Israel launched a massive assault, codenamed "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations, and even residential areas, claiming to be preemptive strikes against Iran's advancing nuclear program and aiming to roll back the Iranian threat. These attacks resulted in significant casualties, including senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. Iran immediately retaliated with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli military sites and cities, causing casualties and damage. This direct exchange has pushed the region into an unprecedented level of overt conflict.



Current Landscape and Future Prospects

The current state of affairs is one of extreme tension and a heightened risk of full-scale war. Both sides regularly issue stark warnings and engage in military posturing. International efforts to de-escalate have largely failed, and the involvement of global powers, particularly the United States, further complicates the situation. The recent direct military exchanges in June 2025 signify a new and dangerous phase in the long-standing animosity between Israel and Iran.

The history between Israel and Iran is a testament to how rapidly geopolitical landscapes can transform. From ancient periods of mutual benefit and modern-era strategic alliances, the relationship has devolved into a dangerous confrontation, shaped by profound ideological differences and competing visions for regional dominance. The trajectory of this conflict remains a critical determinant of peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.


Israel-Iran Conflict, EXPLAINED!


The relationship between Israel and Iran is a complex tapestry woven with threads of ancient history, shifting geopolitical alliances, and ideological clashes. Once covert allies, these two regional powers have become bitter adversaries, locked in a multifaceted "shadow war" that frequently spills into overt confrontation and threatens wider regional instability.



From Ancient Ties to Early Cooperation

Remarkably, the earliest interactions between the ancestors of modern-day Israelis and Iranians were often characterized by cooperation. In the 6th century BCE, Cyrus the Great, the founder of the Persian Achaemenid Empire, famously allowed Jewish exiles in Babylon to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple, a pivotal moment in Jewish history. This period of Persian rule is largely viewed favorably in Jewish tradition, highlighting a historical precedent of benevolence and religious tolerance. Biblical texts like Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther attest to the presence and experiences of Jews in Persia, with figures like Daniel also holding significant positions.

Loading...

Fast forward to the 20th century, following the establishment of the State of Israel in 1948, Iran under the Pahlavi dynasty became one of the first Muslim-majority countries to recognize Israel. Driven by a shared apprehension of Arab nationalism and a desire to counter Soviet influence, a strategic, albeit discreet, alliance formed. This "periphery doctrine," championed by Israel's first Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion, sought to forge alliances with non-Arab states like Iran, Turkey, and Ethiopia to circumvent the hostile Arab states surrounding Israel.

During this period, cooperation between Iran and Israel was extensive. Israel provided expertise in agriculture, engineering, and security, while Iran became a major oil supplier to Israel, particularly after Arab nations boycotted Israel following the Six-Day War. Trade ties flourished, and there was even significant military and intelligence cooperation, though largely kept covert to avoid provoking Arab nations. While the Shah maintained mutually beneficial ties, it's also important to note that he never established full diplomatic relations with Israel and often voiced support for the Palestinian cause, indicating a nuanced stance that sometimes gets oversimplified in historical narratives.



The Iranian Revolution: A Seismic Shift

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran marked a dramatic and irreversible turning point. The overthrow of the pro-Western Shah and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini's anti-Western, anti-Zionist regime fundamentally reshaped Iran's foreign policy. Israel, once a strategic partner, was immediately denounced as the "Little Satan" (with the United States being the "Great Satan") and an illegitimate entity.

Diplomatic and commercial ties were severed, and the Israeli embassy in Tehran was symbolically transformed into the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) embassy. The new Iranian government embraced a revolutionary ideology that championed the Palestinian cause and actively sought to undermine Israel's existence, making opposition to Israel a central tenet of its political identity. This ideological shift was also driven by a desire to assert Iran's leadership in the Islamic world and put US-allied Arab regimes on the defensive.


The Era of Hostility and Proxy Warfare

Since the early 1980s, the relationship has been defined by deep-seated hostility and a pervasive proxy conflict across the Middle East. Key aspects of this antagonism include:

  • Support for Anti-Israel Groups: Iran became a significant patron of various Lebanese and Palestinian militant groups, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) in the Palestinian territories. These groups have engaged in numerous conflicts and attacks against Israel, acting as extensions of Iran's regional influence.

  • The Nuclear Program: Israel views Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, fearing that Tehran is seeking to develop nuclear weapons. Iran insists its program is purely for peaceful purposes. This concern has driven much of Israel's strategy, leading to a series of alleged covert operations, cyberattacks (like Stuxnet), and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists aimed at delaying or disrupting Iran's nuclear ambitions. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has expressed serious concerns about Iran's uranium enrichment levels, which far exceed civilian needs and approach weapons-grade purity.

  • Regional Rivalries and Proxy Battlegrounds: The rivalry has played out in various regional conflicts. In the Syrian Civil War, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes against Iranian military installations and Iran-backed militias, aiming to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent military foothold near its borders. Similarly, both nations have supported opposing sides in conflicts like the Yemeni Civil War, where Iran backs the Houthi rebels, who have also launched attacks toward Israel.

  • Direct Confrontations: While often a "shadow war," there have been instances of direct military confrontation, particularly since the escalation of the Middle Eastern crisis in late 2023. The 2024 Iran–Israel conflict marked a significant shift, with direct exchanges of missile and drone attacks. On April 1, 2024, Israel reportedly bombed an Iranian consulate complex in Damascus, killing senior Iranian officials. Iran retaliated on April 13, 2024, with a large-scale missile and drone barrage against Israel. Israel responded with further strikes in Iran on April 19, 2024. This pattern continued, escalating dramatically in June 2025. Israel launched a massive assault, codenamed "Operation Rising Lion," targeting Iranian nuclear facilities, military installations, and even residential areas, claiming to be preemptive strikes against Iran's advancing nuclear program and aiming to roll back the Iranian threat. These attacks resulted in significant casualties, including senior Iranian military officials and nuclear scientists. Iran immediately retaliated with waves of ballistic missiles and drones targeting Israeli military sites and cities, causing casualties and damage. This direct exchange has pushed the region into an unprecedented level of overt conflict.



Current Landscape and Future Prospects

The current state of affairs is one of extreme tension and a heightened risk of full-scale war. Both sides regularly issue stark warnings and engage in military posturing. International efforts to de-escalate have largely failed, and the involvement of global powers, particularly the United States, further complicates the situation. The recent direct military exchanges in June 2025 signify a new and dangerous phase in the long-standing animosity between Israel and Iran.

The history between Israel and Iran is a testament to how rapidly geopolitical landscapes can transform. From ancient periods of mutual benefit and modern-era strategic alliances, the relationship has devolved into a dangerous confrontation, shaped by profound ideological differences and competing visions for regional dominance. The trajectory of this conflict remains a critical determinant of peace and stability in the Middle East and beyond.


Explanation Geopolitics History Iran Israel

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