# The Deep Roots: Why Does Iran Hate Israel? **The relationship between Iran and Israel, once a strategic alliance, has devolved into one of the Middle East's most enduring and volatile enmities. For decades, the question of why does Iran hate Israel has puzzled observers, given their shared historical interests and lack of direct border disputes. However, beneath the surface, a complex web of historical grievances, profound ideological opposition, and intense geopolitical rivalry fuels this animosity, shaping the destiny of the entire region.** Understanding this multifaceted conflict is crucial for grasping the dynamics of power and conflict in the Middle East, particularly as tensions continue to escalate, leading to concerns about a broader regional confrontation. This article delves into the intricate factors that define the hostile relationship between these two regional powers. We will explore the historical context of their alliance, the pivotal shift brought about by the Iranian Revolution, and the ideological, religious, and geopolitical motivations that drive Iran's current government to view Israel as an illegitimate state. By examining these layers, we can better comprehend the deep-seated animosity and the potential trajectory of this critical rivalry. *** ### Table of Contents 1. [From Allies to Adversaries: A Historical Overview](#from-allies-to-adversaries-a-historical-overview) 2. [The Iranian Revolution: A Paradigm Shift](#the-iranian-revolution-a-paradigm-shift) 3. [Ideological Foundations of Enmity](#ideological-foundations-of-enmity) * [Israel as a Usurper State](#israel-as-a-usurper-state) * [The Concept of Ummah and Islamic Defense](#the-concept-of-ummah-and-islamic-defense) 4. [Geopolitical Rivalry and Regional Hegemony](#geopolitical-rivalry-and-regional-hegemony) * [Proxy Warfare and the Axis of Resistance](#proxy-warfare-and-the-axis-of-resistance) * [The Nuclear Dimension](#the-nuclear-dimension) 5. [The Gaza War's Intensifying Impact](#the-gaza-wars-intensifying-impact) 6. [Israel's Perspective and Counter-Actions](#israels-perspective-and-counter-actions) 7. [The Future of a Deep-Seated Conflict](#the-future-of-a-deep-seated-conflict) 8. [Conclusion: Understanding an Enduring Hostility](#conclusion-understanding-an-enduring-hostility) *** ### From Allies to Adversaries: A Historical Overview To understand **why does Iran hate Israel** today, it's essential to rewind the clock to a time when their relationship was remarkably different. Contrary to popular belief, Israel and Iran were allies until Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. In fact, Iran was one of the first states to recognize Israel after it was founded in 1948. This alliance, largely forged in the 1950s during the reign of Iran’s last monarch, Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was rooted in pragmatic geopolitical interests. Israel regarded Iran as an ally against the Arab states, many of whom were hostile to Israel's existence. For the Shah's Iran, an alliance with Israel offered several strategic advantages. It provided a counterweight to Arab nationalism and potential Soviet influence in the region. Furthermore, it was always Israel that was the proactive party in this alliance, but the Shah also wanted a way to improve its [Iran’s] relations with the US, and at the time Israel was seen as a good way to achieve that aim. This strategic alignment, often referred to as the "periphery doctrine," saw Israel seeking alliances with non-Arab states on the periphery of the Arab world to counter its immediate Arab adversaries. However, even during this period of cooperation, underlying tensions and shifts in strategy began to emerge. Israel, then as now a supporter of the Iraqi Kurds, felt betrayed by Iran's changing stance towards them. Israel saw Iran’s more conciliatory approach to Arab radicals as potentially shifting the balance of power against Israel. This indicates that while the alliance was functional, it was always contingent on shifting regional dynamics and the interests of the respective regimes. The relationship was cordial for most of the Cold War, but this pragmatic friendship was abruptly ended with the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. ### The Iranian Revolution: A Paradigm Shift The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran marked the definitive turning point in the relationship between Iran and Israel. The overthrow of Israel’s close ally, the authoritarian Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s forces in Iran in 1979, fundamentally reshaped Iran's foreign policy and, by extension, its stance on Israel. The new revolutionary government, driven by a radical Islamist ideology, immediately severed all ties with Israel. The Iranian government under Khomeini considered Israel as a colonial outpost that promotes the interest of the West. This view was deeply embedded in the revolutionary rhetoric, which painted Israel as an extension of American imperialism and a tool for Western domination in the Muslim world. Iran then withdrew recognition of Israel as a state, severed all diplomatic and economic ties with the country, called the Israeli government a Zionist regime, and referred to the entire land under Israel as occupied Palestine. This was not merely a diplomatic shift; it was a complete ideological rejection of Israel's legitimacy. Since then, Iran has called for the destruction of Israel and does not recognise it as a state, frequently threatening to annihilate it and wipe it off the map. This aggressive stance is a cornerstone of the Islamic Republic's foreign policy and a key factor in understanding **why does Iran hate Israel**. ### Ideological Foundations of Enmity The ideological and religious foundation of Iran’s enmity towards Israel is deeply rooted in the principles of the Islamic Republic. This is perhaps the most profound and unyielding reason behind Iran's hostility. #### Israel as a Usurper State Iran’s Islamists consider Israel an illegitimate state that drove the Palestinians from their homeland. Ayatollah Khomeini and his successors have consistently framed Israel as a usurper state and an illegitimate entity occupying Muslim lands, specifically Jerusalem, which is promoted in the Arab and Muslim worlds as holding religious importance in Islam. This narrative portrays Israel not just as a political adversary but as an affront to Islamic principles and a historical injustice against the Palestinian people. The occupation of Jerusalem, home to al-Aqsa Mosque (the third holiest site in Islam), is particularly emphasized, framing the conflict as a religious duty to liberate holy sites. This perspective is a core component of **why does Iran hate Israel** from an ideological standpoint. #### The Concept of Ummah and Islamic Defense Since Islam views all Muslims as part of the “ummah” (the global Muslim community), this is seen as an attack on Islam requiring a defense of the Palestinians. Iran positions itself as the defender of the oppressed Muslim masses, particularly the Palestinians, against what it perceives as Israeli aggression and Western-backed occupation. This pan-Islamic solidarity provides a powerful moral and religious justification for Iran's anti-Israel stance, elevating the conflict beyond mere national interests to a sacred cause. This religious imperative makes the animosity particularly intractable, as it is rooted in deeply held beliefs rather than solely geopolitical calculations. ### Geopolitical Rivalry and Regional Hegemony Beyond ideology, a fierce geopolitical rivalry for regional hegemony significantly contributes to **why does Iran hate Israel**. Both countries see each other as existential threats and compete for influence across the Middle East. #### Proxy Warfare and the Axis of Resistance Iran’s aggression against Israel centers on three factors, one of which is its strategy of supporting proxy forces. The deep entrenchment of these proxy forces ensures that any direct confrontation between Iran and Israel would quickly escalate into a broader regional conflict. Iran has cultivated a network of non-state actors, often referred to as the "Axis of Resistance," which includes groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, various Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen. This strategy allows Iran to project power and threaten Israel without direct military engagement, thereby avoiding a full-scale war that could devastate its own territory. It also helps groups in Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. These proxies serve as forward operating bases and a means of deterrence, enabling Iran to maintain pressure on Israel's borders. Israel, for its part, regards Iran as its biggest threat and frequently conducts strikes against Iranian assets and proxy forces in Syria and other areas to counter this influence. This constant shadow war, characterized by both Iran and Israel conducting strikes on one another, including the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus (which Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said was an attack on Iranian soil), demonstrates the volatile nature of this proxy conflict. #### The Nuclear Dimension A major component of Israel's concern and a driver of its actions is Iran's nuclear program. Israel's declared goals are to dismantle Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities, which are seen as existential dangers for Israel. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an unacceptable threat, capable of fulfilling its stated aim to "wipe Israel off the map." This fear has led Israel to conduct covert operations, cyberattacks, and targeted assassinations against Iranian nuclear scientists and facilities. The potential for Iran to acquire nuclear weapons adds an immensely dangerous layer to the existing animosity, making it a critical security concern for Israel and a constant point of tension in international diplomacy. Washington has proffered primarily one realist theme regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions, highlighting the international community's shared concern. ### The Gaza War's Intensifying Impact The situation intensified after Israel’s invasion of Gaza in October 2023, in response to a Hamas attack on Israel. This recent conflict has thrown a fresh spotlight on the motivations behind Iran’s ruling elite and their strategic calculations. The Gaza war has led to another debate about what motivates Iran’s ruling elite, with many analysts suggesting that Iran seeks to exploit regional instability to further its own agenda and undermine Israeli security. The Hamas attack on October 7, 2023, and Israel's subsequent military response in Gaza, have significantly heightened regional tensions. Iran, a key supporter of Hamas, has publicly condemned Israel's actions and reiterated its support for Palestinian groups. This has led to an increased risk of a direct attack by Iran against Israel, as American and Israeli officials are now warning. The mullahs wanted to disrupt the diplomacy aimed at regional normalization with Israel, and the Gaza conflict provided a potent opportunity to do so, further cementing the ideological and geopolitical divides. This latest escalation underscores the inherent danger of the proxy network and the potential for a localized conflict to spiral into a broader regional confrontation, directly linking the ongoing Palestinian struggle to the broader question of **why does Iran hate Israel**. ### Israel's Perspective and Counter-Actions From Israel's perspective, Iran represents the most significant strategic threat to its existence. This perception is driven by Iran's explicit calls for Israel's destruction, its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, and its extensive network of proxy forces on Israel's borders. Israel has always preferred some tension between Iran and the Arabs in order to use them against each other, a strategy that highlights its constant vigilance against regional threats. Israel's strategy against Iran is multifaceted, involving military deterrence, intelligence operations, and diplomatic efforts to isolate Iran internationally. It aims to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, dismantle its ballistic missile program, and degrade its ability to fund and arm proxy groups. The constant back-and-forth, with both Iran and Israel conducting strikes on one another, including the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, illustrates the active and dangerous nature of this rivalry. Israel views these actions as necessary preemptive measures to safeguard its national security against a deeply hostile and ideologically driven adversary. The hatred between Iran and Israel is the product of a multifaceted conflict driven by a combination of historical grievances, ideological opposition, and geopolitical realities, making it a complex challenge for regional stability. ### The Future of a Deep-Seated Conflict The origins of the rivalry between the Islamic Republic and the Jewish state trace back to the overthrow of Israel’s close ally, the authoritarian Shah of Iran, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s forces in Iran in 1979. Since then, the profound conflicts that have accumulated between the two countries are not going to be resolved shortly. The ideological chasm, coupled with the geopolitical competition and the proxy wars, creates a deeply entrenched animosity. While the current state of affairs seems intractable, some analysts suggest that a shift, however miraculous, is not entirely impossible. Iran changing its attitude to Israel might seem like it requires a miracle, but I see it happening, suggests one perspective. I also think we can reach positive relations between the two countries before a major escalation, hinting at the possibility of a future where common interests or a new geopolitical alignment could temper the current hostility. However, such a transformation would require fundamental changes in the political and ideological landscape of Iran, a prospect that currently appears distant given the entrenched views of the ruling elite. The question of **why does Iran hate Israel** remains pertinent, as the answer lies in the complex interplay of history, faith, and power that continues to define their relationship. ### Conclusion: Understanding an Enduring Hostility The animosity between Iran and Israel is not a simple matter of political disagreement; it is a deeply ingrained conflict born from a dramatic historical rupture, profound ideological differences, and an intense geopolitical struggle for regional dominance. From an initial alliance built on strategic pragmatism, the 1979 Islamic Revolution fundamentally transformed Iran's stance, leading its new government to reject Israel's legitimacy outright, viewing it as a Western-backed usurper of Muslim lands. This ideological conviction, rooted in the principles of the Islamic Republic and the concept of the global Muslim "ummah," forms the bedrock of Iran's hostility. Coupled with this ideological opposition is a fierce geopolitical rivalry, manifested through Iran's extensive network of proxy forces and Israel's determination to counter Iran's regional influence and nuclear ambitions. The recent intensification of the Gaza War has only exacerbated these tensions, bringing the risk of direct confrontation closer than ever. The hatred between Iran and Israel is the product of a multifaceted conflict driven by a combination of historical grievances, ideological opposition, and geopolitical realities. Understanding **why does Iran hate Israel** is crucial for comprehending the dynamics of the modern Middle East. This conflict, far from being resolved, continues to shape regional alliances, fuel proxy wars, and pose a significant threat to international peace and stability. What are your thoughts on the future of Iran-Israel relations? Do you believe a reconciliation is possible, or is this animosity too deeply entrenched? Share your perspectives in the comments below, and explore more of our analyses on Middle Eastern geopolitics.
