Iran & Israel: The Forgotten Friendship Before Hostility

Clarissa Swaniawski III 22 Jun 2025

In the often-turbulent landscape of the Middle East, few relationships are as fraught with tension and open animosity as that between Iran and Israel. Today, the two nations stand as ideological and geopolitical adversaries, frequently engaging in proxy conflicts and trading sharp rhetoric. Yet, for those unfamiliar with the deeper currents of history, it might come as a surprise to learn that there was a time when Iran and Israel were friends, or at the very least, maintained a pragmatic, if often covert, alliance. This historical camaraderie, though long buried under layers of revolutionary fervor and strategic competition, offers a crucial lens through which to understand the complex trajectory of their current fierce hostility. This article delves into the fascinating, yet largely forgotten, period when Tehran and Tel Aviv found common ground, exploring the factors that fostered this unusual bond and, more importantly, detailing the dramatic shifts that led to its complete unraveling, transforming erstwhile allies into sworn enemies.

Understanding the historical context is paramount to grasping the nuances of the current dynamic. The narrative of perpetual enmity often overshadows a past characterized by shared interests and mutual, albeit often unacknowledged, benefits. By examining this journey from cooperation to confrontation, we can gain a richer appreciation for the intricate web of regional politics that continues to shape the destiny of the Middle East.

The Unlikely Alliance: When Iran and Israel Were Friends
The Shah's Era: A Strategic Partnership
- Economic and Intelligence Ties
The Watershed Moment: Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979
From Cordial to Hostile: The Post-Revolution Shift
The Gulf War and Escalating Animosity
Non-Recognition and Ideological Opposition
Current Flashpoints and Proxy Wars
- The Syria Front and Retaliation Vows
Regional Realignment and the Abraham Accords
- A New Middle East Dynamic
The Legacy of a Lost Friendship

The Unlikely Alliance: When Iran and Israel Were Friends

The notion that Iran and Israel were friends might seem counterintuitive to anyone observing the current geopolitical landscape. However, history paints a different picture, one where a pragmatic, albeit often clandestine, relationship flourished between the two nations for a significant period. This era, largely forgotten by contemporary discourse, predates the seismic shift of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and offers critical insights into the complex, often paradoxical, nature of Middle Eastern alliances. For much of the Cold War, particularly from the 1950s through the late 1970s, the relationship between Iran and Israel was cordial. This was not a friendship built on shared cultural values or deep ideological alignment, but rather on mutual strategic interests and a common perception of regional threats. Both nations, situated in a volatile neighborhood, found themselves facing similar challenges that inadvertently drew them closer, creating a bond that, while not always overt, was undeniably significant. The very idea that Iran and Israel were friends underscores the dramatic transformation their bilateral ties would undergo in the subsequent decades.

The Shah's Era: A Strategic Partnership

The foundation of this unique relationship was laid during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in Iran. At the time, Iran was ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a monarch deeply committed to modernizing his nation and aligning it with the Western bloc, particularly the United States. The Iranian Shah was an ally of the US and, as a result of this geopolitical alignment, he developed friendly, albeit covert, ties with Israel. This partnership was rooted in a shared strategic outlook. Both Iran and Israel perceived the rise of Arab nationalism, spearheaded by figures like Egypt's Gamal Abdel Nasser, and the growing influence of the Soviet Union in the region as significant threats to their respective national security. This common apprehension fostered an environment where cooperation, despite the lack of formal diplomatic recognition, became a logical and beneficial course of action for both Tehran and Tel Aviv. The Shah's pragmatic approach to foreign policy allowed for a relationship that transcended the ideological divides that often plagued other regional interactions, making it a period where Iran and Israel were friends in a strategic sense.

Economic and Intelligence Ties

The practical manifestations of this strategic partnership were evident in various sectors. Economically, Iran exported oil to Israel at the time, providing a crucial energy source for the nascent Jewish state, which faced an Arab boycott. This oil trade was not just a commercial transaction; it symbolized a lifeline and a defiance of regional pressures. Beyond economics, the cooperation extended into the critical realm of intelligence. Iran helped Israel with intelligence sharing, providing valuable insights into Arab states and Soviet activities in the region. This exchange was mutually beneficial, enhancing the security capabilities of both nations. While Iran and Israel significantly strengthened their ties through these covert channels, the public face of their relationship remained carefully managed to avoid antagonizing Arab neighbors. This period, where the lines between overt diplomacy and covert cooperation blurred, truly highlights how Iran and Israel were friends, even if the friendship was often kept in the shadows, a testament to the complex geopolitical chessboard of the Cold War era.

The Watershed Moment: Iran's Islamic Revolution of 1979

The cordial, albeit clandestine, relations between Iran and Israel were irrevocably altered by a monumental event: Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. This transformative upheaval, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, fundamentally reshaped Iran's domestic and foreign policy. The revolution swept away the pro-Western monarchy of the Shah and replaced it with an Islamic Republic founded on anti-imperialist and anti-Zionist principles. The new regime viewed Israel not as a strategic partner, but as an illegitimate entity and an outpost of Western influence in the heart of the Muslim world. This ideological pivot was immediate and profound. The pragmatic considerations that had underpinned the Shah's relationship with Israel were discarded in favor of a revolutionary ideology that prioritized Islamic solidarity and the liberation of Palestine. The shift was so dramatic that it transformed previously cordial relations between Iran and Israel to fierce hostility, marking the definitive end of any semblance of friendship or cooperation between the two nations. The revolution served as a complete rupture, setting Iran and Israel on a collision course that continues to define their interactions today.

From Cordial to Hostile: The Post-Revolution Shift

Following the Islamic Revolution, the transformation of the relationship between Iran and Israel was swift and absolute. The new Iranian government, under the leadership of Ayatollah Khomeini, adopted a foreign policy that explicitly rejected Israel's right to exist. Iran's current government does not recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state, a stance that remains a cornerstone of its foreign policy to this day. This non-recognition is not merely a diplomatic formality; it reflects a deep-seated ideological opposition that views Israel as an occupying power and an affront to Islamic principles. All previous agreements, covert ties, and shared interests were immediately nullified. The Iranian embassy in Tel Aviv was closed and handed over to the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), a symbolic gesture underscoring the new regime's commitment to the Palestinian cause. This ideological antagonism quickly translated into concrete actions, with Iran becoming a vocal and active supporter of various Palestinian and Lebanese militant groups that oppose Israel. The era where Iran and Israel were friends was not just over; it was actively repudiated, replaced by a declared state of enmity.

The Gulf War and Escalating Animosity

While the Islamic Revolution marked the initial break, the relationship further deteriorated and became openly hostile following the end of the Gulf War in 1991. The Iran-Iraq War (1980-1988) had initially complicated regional dynamics, but the post-Gulf War period saw a clearer alignment of Iran's anti-Israel policies with its broader regional ambitions. As Iraq's power waned after its defeat, Iran sought to expand its influence across the Middle East, often through supporting non-state actors and developing its own military capabilities, including its controversial nuclear program. Israel, in turn, viewed Iran's growing regional footprint, its nuclear ambitions, and its support for groups like Hezbollah and Hamas as existential threats. This perception led to an intensification of a shadow war, characterized by covert operations, cyberattacks, and proxy conflicts across the region. The mutual distrust and strategic competition solidified into an open and often aggressive rivalry, far removed from the days when Iran and Israel were friends. The Gulf War, by altering the regional power balance, provided a new context for this burgeoning animosity, pushing the two nations further apart into a state of overt confrontation.

Non-Recognition and Ideological Opposition

The core of the enduring hostility between Iran and Israel lies in Iran's fundamental ideological opposition and its steadfast refusal to recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state. This stance is deeply embedded in the principles of the Islamic Revolution, which views Israel as an illegal entity occupying Muslim lands and a tool of Western imperialism. For the Iranian government, recognizing Israel would be tantamount to betraying the Palestinian cause and compromising its revolutionary ideals. This ideological rigidity means that there is no diplomatic channel, no official dialogue, and no prospect of normalization as long as the current Iranian regime's foundational principles remain unchanged. This non-recognition fuels a constant state of tension, as it implies a rejection of Israel's very right to exist, leading to a zero-sum game in regional politics. The memory of a time when Iran and Israel were friends is not only suppressed but actively contradicted by the current official narrative, which frames Israel as an eternal enemy. This ideological chasm is perhaps the most significant barrier to any future reconciliation, making the current animosity deeply entrenched and resistant to change.

Current Flashpoints and Proxy Wars

Today, the animosity between Iran and Israel manifests in a complex web of direct and indirect confrontations across the Middle East. While full-scale conventional warfare has been largely avoided, a "shadow war" is constantly being waged. This involves cyberattacks, intelligence operations, and, most prominently, proxy conflicts in various regional theaters. Syria has become a primary battleground for this proxy war. Iran has established a significant military presence in Syria, supporting the Assad regime and building a land bridge to its Lebanese ally, Hezbollah. Israel views this Iranian entrenchment on its northern border as an unacceptable security threat and has conducted numerous airstrikes against Iranian targets and Hezbollah arms convoys within Syria. These strikes are often unacknowledged by Israel but widely reported and attributed. The goal for Israel is to prevent Iran from establishing a permanent military foothold and transferring advanced weaponry to its proxies, while Iran seeks to expand its "axis of resistance" against Israel.

The Syria Front and Retaliation Vows

A recent and significant escalation of this shadow war occurred when Iran blamed Israel for a strike on its Syria consulate, and has vowed to retaliate. This incident, which resulted in the deaths of several high-ranking Iranian military officials, marked a dangerous escalation, as it targeted a diplomatic facility, a move often considered a red line. Iran's public vow of retaliation underscored the direct nature of the current conflict and the potential for it to spiral into a broader regional conflagration. Such incidents highlight the precarious balance of power and the constant risk of miscalculation. The direct attribution of blame and the promise of reprisal signify a new, more overt phase in the long-standing hostility, a far cry from the days when Iran and Israel were friends. The Syria front remains a critical flashpoint, emblematic of the deep-seated animosity and the continuous struggle for regional dominance between these two powerful adversaries.

Regional Realignment and the Abraham Accords

The escalating tension between Iran and Israel has also played a significant role in reshaping alliances across the broader Middle East. Many Arab states, particularly those in the Gulf, share Israel's concerns about Iran's regional ambitions, its nuclear program, and its support for proxy groups. This shared threat perception has led to an unprecedented realignment of regional interests. In September 2020, Saudi allies the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain signed normalisation accords with Israel, known as the Abraham Accords. These agreements, brokered by the United States, marked a historic shift, as they formalized diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab nations, bypassing the traditional prerequisite of a comprehensive Israeli-Palestinian peace deal. While framed as steps towards regional peace and cooperation, a significant underlying motivation for these accords was the desire to form a united front against perceived Iranian aggression. This development further isolated Iran, as it saw its traditional Arab rivals forging new ties with its sworn enemy, reinforcing the narrative of a region increasingly polarized along an Iran-versus-anti-Iran axis. The Abraham Accords are a stark reminder of how much the region has changed since the days when Iran and Israel were friends.

A New Middle East Dynamic

The Abraham Accords represent more than just diplomatic breakthroughs; they signify a fundamental shift in Middle Eastern geopolitics. They have created a new dynamic where Israel, once largely isolated in the Arab world, is now finding common cause with influential Arab states. This emerging alliance structure is largely driven by a shared strategic imperative to counter Iranian influence and its destabilizing activities. For Iran, these accords are seen as a betrayal by Arab nations and a further encirclement by hostile powers. This perception only deepens Iran's resolve to strengthen its "axis of resistance" and to continue its policies aimed at challenging the regional status quo. The accords underscore the extent to which the fear of Iran has become a unifying factor for disparate regional actors, ironically bringing together former adversaries. This new alignment further cements the current state of animosity, making the idea that Iran and Israel were friends seem like a distant, almost unimaginable, historical anomaly. The region is now characterized by a clear division, with Iran on one side and a growing coalition of Arab states and Israel on the other, each vying for influence and security in an increasingly complex environment.

The Legacy of a Lost Friendship

The journey from a pragmatic alliance to fierce hostility between Iran and Israel is a compelling narrative of how geopolitical shifts, ideological revolutions, and changing regional dynamics can utterly transform international relations. The historical fact that Iran and Israel were friends, even if covertly, during the Shah's era, serves as a powerful reminder that alliances are not immutable and can be profoundly reshaped by internal and external forces. Today, the two nations stand at opposite ends of the regional spectrum, their animosity deeply ingrained in their respective national security doctrines and public narratives. The current Iranian government's non-recognition of Israel's legitimacy, coupled with Israel's proactive measures to counter Iranian influence, ensures that the relationship remains fraught with tension and the constant threat of escalation. Understanding this complex history is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the intricate challenges facing the Middle East. It highlights the profound impact of the 1979 Islamic Revolution and the subsequent hardening of positions that led to the current state of open conflict. The legacy of their lost friendship underscores the dramatic and often unpredictable nature of international diplomacy.

We encourage you to share your thoughts on this fascinating historical transformation in the comments below. Do you think there's any path back to a more stable relationship, or is the current animosity too deeply entrenched? Explore more of our articles on Middle Eastern geopolitics to gain further insights into the region's complex dynamics.

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