Why Are Israel and Iran Enemies?

 

Israel Iran conflict

The animosity between Israel and Iran began with a major change in their relationship after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. Before that year, the two nations had strong diplomatic and economic relations. Iran even recognized Israel shortly after it was founded in 1948, which was unusual among Muslim-majority countries at the time. Their cooperation was mainly driven by shared interests, particularly their opposition to Arab nationalist governments and the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The 1979 Islamic Revolution: A Turning Point  

The relationship shifted drastically after the Iranian Revolution overthrew the Shah and set up the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini. The new regime adopted a firm anti-Israel ideology, calling Israel the "enemy of Islam" and "Little Satan." Iran stopped recognizing Israel and called for its destruction, making opposition to Israel a key part of its foreign policy. This stance has been upheld by various Iranian leaders, including the current Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has often labeled Israel as a "cancerous tumor" that needs to be removed.

Key Drivers of Hostility  

1. Ideological and Religious Factors  

The Islamic Republic of Iran sees Israel as illegitimate and against Islamic values. Meanwhile, Israel views Iran’s statements and actions as real threats.

Iran's leaders frequently emphasize the need to destroy Israel in official speeches and public events.

2. The Palestinian Issue  

Iran has declared itself a supporter of the Palestinian cause, offering political, financial, and military aid to groups opposing Israel, like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza.

This support has led to direct and proxy conflicts, with Israel attacking Iranian-backed groups and Iran responding through its proxies.

3. Iran’s Nuclear Program  

Israel considers Iran’s nuclear ambitions a serious threat, worried that a nuclear-armed Iran would disrupt the regional power balance.

Israel has been accused of carrying out sabotage missions, including cyberattacks and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, to stop Iran from developing nuclear weapons.

4. Regional Power Struggle  

Both countries vie for influence in the Middle East, supporting opposing factions and engaging in a "shadow war" that includes cyberattacks, drone strikes, and maritime clashes.

Iran’s expanding influence in Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen has led Israel to strengthen ties with Gulf Arab nations and conduct military operations to counter Iranian presence near its borders.

5. Recent Escalations  

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, particularly after Hamas’s attack on Israel in October 2023, has heightened tensions. Iran has cautioned that the conflict might spread, while Israel has targeted Iranian interests in Syria and Lebanon.

Direct missile and drone exchanges between Israel and Iran in 2024 marked a significant escalation, bringing both nations closer to open warfare.

Summary Table: Key Factors in Iran-Israel Hostility

Factor	Iran’s Position	Israel’s Position
Recognition	Does not recognize Israel’s right to exist	Views Iran as existential threat
Ideology	Sees Israel as "enemy of Islam"	Sees Iran’s regime as hostile and genocidal
Palestinian Issue	Supports Hamas, Hezbollah, Islamic Jihad	Sees Iranian support as direct security threat
Nuclear Program	Claims peaceful intent, seeks regional deterrence	Fears nuclear-armed Iran, conducts sabotage
Regional Influence	Expands through proxies in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen, Iraq	Counters with alliances, airstrikes, covert ops

Conclusion

The Israel-Iran enmity is the result of a complex mix of ideological, religious, strategic, and geopolitical factors that have evolved since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. While both countries once cooperated, today their rivalry is marked by proxy wars, direct attacks, and mutual perceptions of existential threat, with little sign of reconciliation in the near future