Top News

The Iran-Israel conflict stands as one of the most enduring and multifaceted rivalries in the modern Middle East, its historical trajectory revealing a complex interplay of alliance, ideology, and warfare. While contemporary discourse often emphasises the current enmity between the two nations, a rigorous historical analysis demonstrates that this relationship has undergone profound transformations from a period of pragmatic cooperation to one of unrelenting hostility.

The pre-1979 alliance, the ideological rupture of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the emergence of proxy warfare, and the recent escalation into direct confrontation.

Pre-1979 Alliance: Strategic Convergence in a Divided Region

Historically, the relationship between Iran and Israel was not always adversarial. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the two nations enjoyed a period of pragmatic alliance under Iran’s Pahlavi monarchy. Iran, led by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, formally recognised Israel in 1950, a move that distinguished it from the majority of Muslim-majority states aligned with the Arab bloc.

This recognition was not rooted in ideological harmony but in shared strategic interests, particularly during the Cold War era. Both nations sought to counter the growing influence of Arab nationalism, epitomised by Egypt’s Gamal Abdel Nasser, whose pan-Arabist agenda threatened Iran’s non-Arab identity and Israel’s regional position.

Collaboration between Iran and Israel extended beyond diplomacy into tangible partnerships. Iran supplied oil to Israel, bypassing the Arab embargo, while intelligence-sharing initiatives, such as the "Trident" alliance with Turkey, bolstered their mutual security against Soviet- backed adversaries. Military cooperation also flourished, with joint projects in missile technology reflecting a convergence of interests.

Though often understated in modern narratives, this alliance illustrates the extent to which geopolitical pragmatism could bridge cultural divides. Yet, its dependence on the Shah’s regime rendered it vulnerable to internal upheavals within Iran, a fragility that would soon become evident.

1979 Islamic Revolution: A Fundamental Ideological Shift

The Islamic Revolution of 1979 marked a pivotal turning point in Iran-Israel relations, dismantling the previous alliance and ushering in an era of ideological enmity. The revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, overthrew the Western-aligned Pahlavi monarchy and established an Islamic Republic grounded in Shia theology and anti-imperialist principles.

Central to Khomeini’s worldview was a rejection of Israel, which he denounced as an illegitimate entity and a tool of Western oppression. This stance was crystallised in his declaration of Israel as a "cancerous tumour," a rhetorical escalation that signalled Iran’s new role as a champion of Palestinian liberation.

The revolution’s impact was immediate and profound. Iran severed all diplomatic ties with Israel, redirecting its foreign policy toward the support of anti-Israel movements across the

region. Khomeini’s doctrine of "exporting the revolution" aimed to mobilise oppressed Muslim populations, positioning Iran as the leader of a broader Islamic resistance. This ideological shift was not merely symbolic; it fundamentally altered the Middle Eastern geopolitical landscape, creating a fault line between Iran’s revolutionary aspirations and Israel’s security imperatives.

In retrospect, the 1979 revolution emerges as the historical fulcrum upon which the modern conflict pivots, its legacy enduring in the rhetoric and actions of both nations.

Emergence of Proxy Warfare: A Strategy of Indirect Conflict

In the wake of the revolution, direct military confrontation between Iran and Israel remained rare, giving way instead to a prolonged period of proxy warfare. Iran’s strategy hinged on the development of the "Axis of Resistance," a coalition of non-state actors designed to extend its influence without risking open war. Hezbollah, founded in Lebanon in the early 1980s with Iranian backing, became the cornerstone of this approach. Armed with rockets and trained in guerrilla tactics, Hezbollah challenged Israel’s northern border, most notably during the 2006 Lebanon War, a conflict that exposed the potency of Iran’s proxy model.

Iran’s support extended beyond Hezbollah to include Hamas in Gaza and various Shia militias in Iraq and Syria, creating a network of pressure points around Israel. This approach allowed Iran to maintain deniability while amplifying its regional clout, a tactic rooted in its post-revolutionary ambition to lead a pan-Islamic front. Israel, in response, adopted a strategy of preemption and deterrence, employing covert operations to disrupt Iran’s capabilities.

The Stuxnet cyberattack of 2010, which sabotaged Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, and the 2020 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a prominent nuclear scientist, exemplify Israel’s proactive measures to counter Iran’s growing threat.

This phase of shadow warfare highlights the calculated restraint both nations exercised, avoiding direct escalation while pursuing their objectives through intermediaries and clandestine means. However, it also entrenched a cycle of retaliation that would eventually strain the boundaries of this indirect conflict.

Escalation to Direct Confrontation: A New Historical Chapter

The 2020s have witnessed a significant shift in the Iran-Israel conflict, as proxy warfare has given way to direct military engagements. A landmark event occurred in April 2024, when Iran launched over 300 drones and missiles at Israel in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on its Damascus consulate. This marked the first direct Iranian attack on Israeli territory since 1979, shattering decades of strategic ambiguity.

Israel responded with strikes in October 2024 and, more dramatically, with "Operation Rising Lion" in June 2025, targeting Iranian nuclear sites, missile facilities, and military leadership, including Revolutionary Guard commander Hossein Salami.

These exchanges signify a historical departure from the established paradigm of proxy conflict, raising the stakes for both nations. Iran’s shift to direct action reflects a growing confidence in its military capabilities, while Israel’s aggressive reprisals underscore its determination to neutralise existential threats. The escalation evokes historical parallels, such as the miscalculations that precipitated the 1967 Six-Day War, suggesting that the current trajectory risks spiralling into broader conflict.

As the conflict evolves, the interplay of deterrence and provocation, Iran’s "reflexive control" versus Israel’s preemptive strike,s continues to define this volatile new phase.

History’s Lasting Echoes

The historical evolution of the Iran-Israel conflict from alliance to enmity, proxy warfare to confrontation, reveals a rivalry deeply embedded in the region’s political and ideological fabric. The pre-1979 partnership, rooted in mutual interest, starkly contrasts the ideological divide forged by the 1979 revolution, a divide that has fueled decades of hostility. The rise of proxy warfare and the recent turn to direct clashes further illustrate how historical dynamics adapt to new realities while retaining their core tensions.

In reflecting on this history, it is evident that the Iran-Israel conflict is not a static dispute but a living narrative, shaped by past grievances and perpetuated by competing visions for the Middle East. For readers of this newspaper, understanding these historical currents offers not only insight into the present but also a sobering reminder of the challenges that lie ahead.

As the region stands at a crossroads, history remains both a lens and a warning, illuminating the path forward in a conflict that shows no sign of abating.

(The author is a postgraduate student at the Department of War Studies, King’s College London)

Disclaimer: The opinions, beliefs, and views expressed by the various authors and forum participants on this website are personal and do not reflect the opinions, beliefs, and views of ABP News Network Pvt Ltd.