Israel & Iran: Unpacking A Hostile History And Whether They Get Along
The relationship between Israel and Iran is one of the most complex and volatile in the Middle East, marked by decades of escalating tensions and proxy conflicts. When people ask, "does Israel and Iran get along?", the simple answer is a resounding no, but the story behind this deep-seated animosity is far from simple, involving a dramatic shift from a surprising period of cooperation to outright hostility. Understanding this trajectory is crucial for anyone seeking to grasp the intricate dynamics of regional power and international diplomacy.
What began as a pragmatic alliance has transformed into an existential rivalry, with both nations viewing the other as a primary threat to their security and regional influence. This article delves into the historical roots of their animosity, the key events that shaped their current standoff, and the implications for global stability, drawing on established facts to illuminate this critical geopolitical issue.
Table of Contents
- The Shifting Sands: From Allies to Adversaries
- The Iranian Revolution: A Seismic Shift
- The Cold War and Proxy Battles: A New Era of Hostility
- Nuclear Ambitions and Israeli Red Lines
- Escalation in Recent Years: A Dangerous Dynamic
- International Diplomacy and the US Role
- The Ideological Divide: Palestine and Legitimacy
- What Does the Future Hold? Navigating a Volatile Relationship
The Shifting Sands: From Allies to Adversaries
To truly understand why Israel and Iran do not get along today, one must look back at a time when their relationship was remarkably different. It's a history often overlooked in the current narrative of animosity, but it provides crucial context for the dramatic shift that occurred. For a significant portion of the Cold War, the relationship between Israel and Iran was, in fact, cordial. This might come as a surprise to many, given the overt hostility that defines their interactions today.
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This period of cooperation was driven by shared strategic interests. Both nations were non-Arab states in a predominantly Arab region, and both viewed certain Arab nationalist movements and Soviet influence with suspicion. Israel, then as now, was a supporter of the Iraqi Kurds, a position that, at one point, led to a sense of betrayal when Iran's Shah made a conciliatory move towards Iraq. However, for a considerable time, their alignment was seen as mutually beneficial. Iran, under the Shah, sought to improve its relations with the United States, and at the time, Israel was seen as a good way to achieve that aim. It was always Israel that was the proactive party in seeking to leverage this relationship for broader diplomatic gains, but the Shah also recognized the utility of such an alliance.
Early Recognition and Shared Interests
The historical ties actually stretch back to the very foundation of the state of Israel. Iran was one of the first states to recognize Israel after it was founded in 1948. This early recognition set a precedent for a relationship that, while not always public, was characterized by pragmatic cooperation on various fronts, including intelligence sharing and trade. In fact, Israel and Iran were allies until Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. This alliance was a cornerstone of regional stability for both countries, allowing them to navigate the turbulent waters of Middle Eastern politics from a position of relative strength. The Shah's Iran was a modernizing, pro-Western state, and its alignment with Israel was a natural fit within the broader Cold War framework, where both nations were seen as bulwarks against Soviet expansion and radical Arab nationalism. This era, however, was destined to end abruptly, paving the way for the profound animosity we witness today.
The Iranian Revolution: A Seismic Shift
The year 1979 marked a watershed moment that irrevocably altered the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East and, critically, the relationship between Israel and Iran. The Islamic Revolution in Iran, which overthrew the pro-Western Shah and brought Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini to power, ushered in a new era defined by a radical ideological shift. The new Iranian government immediately adopted an anti-Zionist stance, viewing Israel as an illegitimate entity and a Western outpost in the Muslim world. This ideological opposition became a core tenet of the Islamic Republic's foreign policy. Iran's current government does not recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state, a foundational difference that underpins all subsequent interactions and makes the question of "does Israel and Iran get along" almost rhetorical.
This dramatic ideological pivot transformed Iran from a pragmatic, albeit sometimes uneasy, ally into an openly hostile adversary. The revolution's emphasis on Islamic solidarity and support for Palestinian causes directly clashed with Israel's existence and security interests. The Islamic Republic of Iran officially recognizes Palestine as a state, further cementing its opposition to Israel. This ideological commitment meant that any pre-revolutionary common ground vanished, replaced by a deep-seated antagonism. The relationship worsened following the Iranian Revolution and has been openly hostile since the end of the Gulf War in 1991, which saw Iran further consolidate its anti-Western and anti-Israeli posture. The revolution's legacy continues to shape Iran's foreign policy, driving its support for various non-state actors and its pursuit of regional influence, often at Israel's expense.
The Cold War and Proxy Battles: A New Era of Hostility
Following the Iranian Revolution, the nature of the conflict between Israel and Iran largely shifted to indirect confrontation. Over decades, their rivalry played out mainly through indirect actions by Iran and by covert operations from Israel. This "shadow war" involved supporting opposing factions in regional conflicts, intelligence gathering, cyber warfare, and targeted assassinations. Both nations meticulously avoided direct military engagement for many years, understanding the catastrophic implications of such a conflict. Instead, they leveraged proxies and clandestine operations to undermine each other's influence and capabilities across the Middle East.
Iran, in particular, became adept at cultivating and supporting non-state actors to project its power and challenge Israel's security. This strategy allowed Iran to exert influence without directly exposing itself to Israeli retaliation. Israel, in turn, employed its formidable intelligence and military capabilities to counter Iranian expansionism, often through discreet, yet highly effective, operations designed to disrupt Iran's strategic objectives and undermine its proxies. This era of indirect conflict established a dangerous precedent, laying the groundwork for the more direct confrontations that would emerge later.
Hezbollah: A Proxy Powerhouse
One of the most significant manifestations of Iran's proxy strategy is Hezbollah. Established in the early 1980s with Iranian backing, Hezbollah has evolved into a powerful paramilitary and political force in Lebanon, serving as a critical extension of Iran's influence on Israel's northern border. Hezbollah's arsenal, supplied and trained by Iran, poses a direct and constant threat to Israeli security. This proxy relationship allows Iran to maintain a credible deterrent against Israel without directly engaging its own military, complicating Israel's strategic calculations and forcing it to contend with a well-armed and ideologically motivated adversary right on its doorstep.
Hezbollah's role extends beyond military capabilities; it also holds significant political sway within Lebanon, further entrenching Iranian influence in the Levant. For Israel, Hezbollah represents a persistent challenge, necessitating constant vigilance and frequent military actions to degrade its capabilities and prevent large-scale attacks. The existence and strength of Hezbollah are clear indicators of why Israel and Iran do not get along, as it exemplifies Iran's commitment to challenging Israel through non-state actors, thereby creating a permanent state of tension and potential conflict.
Nuclear Ambitions and Israeli Red Lines
At the heart of the current animosity and the persistent question of "does Israel and Iran get along" lies Iran's nuclear program. Israel views Iran's pursuit of nuclear capabilities as an existential threat, a red line that cannot be crossed. Its attempts (actual or alleged) to purchase and develop weapons of mass destruction, along with the missile technology to deliver them, were viewed as other serious challenges by Israel. The specter of a nuclear-armed Iran has driven much of Israel's strategic thinking and covert operations against the Islamic Republic.
Israel's policy has consistently been to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons at all costs. This objective has led to a series of highly secretive and often dramatic actions. Israel, at a minimum, wants to do enough damage to Iran’s nuclear program that Tehran cannot reconstitute it for the foreseeable future or race to get a bomb. This proactive stance reflects Israel's deep-seated security concerns and its belief that a nuclear Iran would fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Middle East, potentially leading to an unprecedented regional arms race or even direct military confrontation. The international community shares some of these concerns, though approaches to managing Iran's nuclear ambitions have varied, often creating friction between allies.
Covert Operations and Direct Confrontations
The shadow war over Iran's nuclear program has been characterized by a series of covert operations attributed to Israel. These have included cyber-attacks, sabotage of nuclear facilities, and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. While Israel rarely confirms its involvement in such incidents, the pattern of attacks strongly suggests a deliberate campaign to slow down or halt Iran's nuclear progress. Early Friday, Israel changed the face of the Middle East by launching an unprecedented attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities and killing a slew of senior Iranian commanders, an example of the intensity and directness of these operations.
More recently, the dynamic of the conflict has changed, moving beyond purely covert operations to more overt, albeit still limited, direct confrontations. That dynamic changed last year, in April and again in October, the two sides engaged in more direct exchanges. This escalation signifies a dangerous shift, as the risk of miscalculation and wider conflict increases with each direct strike. Smoke rises from an Israeli attack on Shahran oil depot in Tehran on June 15, an incident that underscores the ongoing, tit-for-tat nature of their engagements. Iran and Israel continued to attack each other on Wednesday night, highlighting the persistent state of low-level warfare. This increasingly direct confrontation raises alarms globally, as the potential for a full-scale regional conflict becomes a more tangible threat, making the question of "does Israel and Iran get along" even more poignant in its negative answer.
Escalation in Recent Years: A Dangerous Dynamic
The past few years have witnessed a significant escalation in the directness and frequency of confrontations between Israel and Iran, moving beyond the traditional proxy warfare and covert operations. This shift marks a perilous new chapter in their long-standing rivalry. Now, however, American and Israeli officials are warning of the risk of a direct attack by Iran against Israel. This heightened alert reflects a growing concern that the long-simmering conflict could erupt into open warfare, with potentially devastating consequences for the entire region and beyond.
The directness of recent exchanges is a stark departure from previous decades. Israel said Wednesday it continued to land “significant blows” against Iran, hitting 40 different sites, according to the Israeli military. These strikes, often targeting Iranian assets or proxies in Syria, demonstrate Israel's willingness to directly challenge Iran's military presence and capabilities in the region. Iran, in turn, has vowed retaliation for Israeli actions. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said the April 1 attack on the Iranian consulate in Damascus, which killed senior Iranian commanders, would be avenged. Such pronouncements underscore the retaliatory cycle that defines their current interactions, making the question of "does Israel and Iran get along" more critical than ever, as the answer directly impacts regional stability.
The increasing frequency and severity of these direct engagements raise the specter of a wider conflict. Both sides are testing each other's red lines, and the risk of miscalculation is ever-present. The international community watches with bated breath, as any major escalation between these two regional powers could quickly draw in other actors, transforming a bilateral rivalry into a broader regional conflagration. The shift from a shadow war to more overt exchanges signifies a dangerous evolution, demanding careful diplomatic engagement to de-escalate tensions.
International Diplomacy and the US Role
The escalating tensions between Israel and Iran have naturally drawn significant international attention, with major global powers attempting to mediate or influence the situation. The United States, in particular, plays a pivotal role due to its strong alliance with Israel and its long-standing adversarial relationship with Iran. President Trump said he would make a decision about attacking Iran “within the next two” days during a particularly tense period, highlighting the direct involvement and significant leverage the US holds. At times, Israel is waiting for the United States to get directly involved, indicating its reliance on American support and potential intervention in managing the Iranian threat.
However, the US approach has not always been consistent, oscillating between threats of military action and calls for diplomacy. After openly threatening to join Israel’s war and bomb Iran, President Trump now seems willing to give diplomacy some more time. This shifting stance can create uncertainty, but also provides windows for de-escalation. Iran, for its part, has often accused the US of complicity in Israeli actions. Iran’s foreign minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran has “solid evidence” that the U.S. provided support for Israel’s attacks, a claim that underscores the deep mistrust and the complex interplay of regional and international actors. The Iranian foreign ministry said in a statement that the attacks were a violation of international law, further emphasizing their view of US-Israeli actions as aggressive and unwarranted.
European Efforts and US Influence
Beyond the US, European powers have also sought to play a constructive role in de-escalating tensions and preserving diplomatic channels. European diplomats held talks with Iran, demonstrating a commitment to dialogue even amidst heightened hostilities. France and Germany, along with the European Union’s top diplomat, met for three hours in Geneva with Iran’s foreign minister, and emphasized the need for continued engagement and a peaceful resolution. These efforts often aim to keep the Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA) alive, or at least maintain a framework for dialogue that could prevent Iran from further advancing its nuclear program. The diplomatic track is seen as crucial to managing the crisis, especially when military options are on the table.
The influence of the US remains paramount, however. Going along with Israel’s earlier request that the United States provide more robust support, the US often finds itself in a delicate balancing act, trying to reassure its ally Israel while avoiding a direct military confrontation with Iran. The question of "does Israel and Iran get along" is thus not just a bilateral issue but one deeply intertwined with global power dynamics and the efficacy of international diplomacy in preventing a wider conflict. The decisions made in Washington, Tehran, and Jerusalem, along with the efforts of European capitals, will collectively determine the future trajectory of this volatile relationship.
The Ideological Divide: Palestine and Legitimacy
Beyond the strategic and nuclear concerns, a profound ideological chasm fundamentally separates Israel and Iran, making the prospect of them ever truly getting along incredibly remote. At the core of this divide is the issue of Palestine and the very legitimacy of the state of Israel. The Islamic Republic of Iran officially recognizes Palestine as a state and views the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories as an injustice and a violation of Islamic principles. This stance is not merely political; it is deeply embedded in the revolutionary ideology that defines the Iranian regime. This ideological commitment fuels Iran's support for Palestinian militant groups and its consistent rhetorical attacks on Israel, framing the conflict as a struggle against an illegitimate occupying power.
From Israel's perspective, Iran's non-recognition and support for groups like Hamas and Islamic Jihad represent an existential threat, undermining its right to exist within secure borders. Israel has always preferred some tension between Iran and the Arabs in order to use them against each other, a strategic calculation that highlights the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the region. However, Iran's more conciliatory approach to Arab radicals, particularly its embrace of the Palestinian cause, is seen by Israel as potentially shifting the balance of power against Israel, uniting disparate anti-Israeli elements under a broader, Iranian-led banner. This ideological struggle is not just about land or resources; it is a battle over narratives, legitimacy, and regional dominance, where one side's existence is fundamentally challenged by the other's core beliefs.
Furthermore, Israel views Iran's ultimate goal as regime change in Jerusalem, or at least the significant weakening of the Jewish state. When asked by an interviewer if Israel is seeking regime change in Iran, Netanyahu said that regime change could be the result of Israel’s actions because “the Iran regime is very weak.” This statement reveals Israel's belief that its actions, whether overt or covert, could contribute to internal instability within Iran, potentially leading to a more moderate government. This mutual desire for the other's political transformation, whether through direct action or indirect pressure, underscores the deep-seated nature of their animosity and reinforces the notion that "does Israel and Iran get along" is a question answered by a fundamental clash of ideologies.
What Does the Future Hold? Navigating a Volatile Relationship
The relationship between Israel and Iran remains one of the most unpredictable and dangerous flashpoints in global geopolitics. Given the historical trajectory from pragmatic allies to sworn enemies, fueled by a revolutionary ideological shift, proxy warfare, and the existential threat of nuclear proliferation, the question of "does Israel and Iran get along" is definitively answered in the negative. The current dynamic is characterized by a dangerous dance of escalation and deterrence, with both sides continually testing each other's resolve and capabilities.
The future trajectory of this relationship hinges on several critical factors. The ongoing development of Iran's nuclear program, Israel's unwavering commitment to preventing a nuclear Iran, and the role of international diplomacy, particularly from the United States and European powers, will all play a crucial part. The possibility of further direct confrontations, whether in Syria, through cyberattacks, or even more overt military exchanges, remains high. Iran may hold off on hitting back at Israel until after Trump's potential return to power, illustrating the complex calculations and external factors influencing their actions. President Trump said he would make a decision about attacking Iran “within the next two days,” and faces a difficult decision if he does go forward with such actions, underscoring the constant threat of escalation.
Ultimately, a true resolution to the animosity between Israel and Iran seems distant, given the deep ideological divides and the entrenched security concerns on both sides. However, managing the conflict to prevent a full-scale regional war is a paramount objective for the international community. This requires sustained diplomatic efforts, clear communication channels, and a shared understanding of red lines to avoid miscalculation. While the prospect of Israel and Iran getting along in the foreseeable future is slim, the imperative to prevent their conflict from spiraling out of control is stronger than ever. Understanding this complex history and the current dangerous dynamic is essential for anyone hoping to make sense of the Middle East's volatile landscape.
We invite you to share your thoughts on this critical geopolitical issue in the comments below. Do you believe there's a path to de-escalation, or are these two nations destined for perpetual conflict? Your insights contribute to a richer understanding of these complex dynamics. For more in-depth analysis of Middle Eastern affairs, explore our other articles on regional security and international relations.
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