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The current conflict between Israel and Iran is not simply a product of recent politics or military incidents—it is deeply rooted in decades of ideological, geopolitical, and strategic rivalry. Understanding the historical foundation of this tension is key to grasping why diplomacy has repeatedly failed and why conflict seems so difficult to avoid.
Pre-1979: A Surprisingly Friendly Relationship
Before Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, relations between Israel and Iran were actually quite friendly. Under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran was one of the few Muslim-majority countries to recognize Israel, albeit unofficially. The two nations shared strategic interests:
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Oil and trade: Iran supplied oil to Israel and the two cooperated on military and intelligence matters.
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Shared concerns about Arab nationalism: Both saw pan-Arabism—led by Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser—as a mutual threat.
This cooperation was part of what historians call the "Periphery Doctrine," where Israel allied with non-Arab states (Iran, Turkey, Ethiopia) to counterbalance hostile Arab neighbors.
1979 Iranian Revolution: The Turning Point
The overthrow of the Shah and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini marked a dramatic shift. Iran transformed into an Islamic Republic with a staunch anti-Israel ideology. Khomeini called Israel a "Zionist regime" and an "enemy of Islam," vowing its destruction. Key changes included:
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Iran severed all ties with Israel, closed the Israeli embassy, and gave the building to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
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Iran declared support for Palestinian resistance and began backing groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and later Hamas in Gaza—both considered terrorist organizations by Israel.
From this point on, Iran framed its foreign policy with an anti-Israel agenda, seeing Israel as a Western colonial outpost in the Muslim world.
The Rise of Proxy Warfare
Iran has not directly attacked Israel in most instances but has used proxy groups to challenge its presence and security:
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Hezbollah: Formed in the 1980s during Israel’s occupation of southern Lebanon, this group receives military and financial support from Iran and has frequently clashed with Israel.
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Hamas: Iran has supported this group in its opposition to Israel’s presence in Gaza and the West Bank.
In return, Israel has conducted numerous airstrikes against Iranian-backed forces in Syria and Lebanon, often aiming to prevent the transfer of advanced weapons to Hezbollah.
The Nuclear Shadow
The conflict intensified further when Iran’s nuclear program became public. Israel sees a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. Iran insists its program is peaceful, but Israel (along with the U.S.) accuses it of seeking nuclear weapons.
Israel has responded with a strategy of sabotage and assassination:
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Cyber attacks (e.g., the 2010 Stuxnet virus that disrupted Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities).
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Targeted killings of Iranian nuclear scientists.
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Political lobbying to prevent the U.S. and Europe from easing sanctions on Iran.
This nuclear issue has become the most volatile point of contention between the two nations.
Recent Developments: Open Conflict?
While past decades have seen indirect hostilities, recent years show signs of direct confrontation:
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Israel has openly targeted Iranian facilities in Syria.
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Iran has increased its direct threats against Israeli territory.
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In 2024–2025, both nations engaged in unprecedented missile exchanges and drone attacks, sparking fears of open war.
Conclusion
The Israel-Iran conflict has evolved from a once-strategic alliance into one of the most dangerous rivalries in modern geopolitics. With roots in ideology, religion, regional dominance, and security concerns, this is not a conflict that can be resolved easily. The history shows that without mutual recognition and dialogue, the spiral of hostility is likely to continue—with severe consequences for the Middle East and the world.