Israel's Relations with Iran: Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers

Israel's Relations with Iran: Tensions and Diplomatic Maneuvers

Introduction

The relationship between Israel and Iran is one of the most complex and fraught in the Middle East. Once allies, the two nations have become arch-enemies, particularly since the Islamic Revolution in Iran in 1979. Since then, Iran's hostility toward Israel and Israel's concerns over Iran's ambitions have shaped the geopolitics of the region. Over the decades, Israel has viewed Iran as one of its greatest security threats, while Iran has maintained that Israel's existence threatens its sovereignty and ideology.

This article explores the multifaceted nature of Israel-Iran relations, including historical background, the key sources of tension, diplomatic maneuvers by both sides, and how this relationship impacts the broader Middle Eastern and international dynamics.

Historical Background

Pre-1979: A Period of Cooperation

Before the Islamic Revolution, Israel and Iran maintained cordial, even cooperative, relations. Both countries shared concerns over Arab nationalism and Soviet influence in the region. Israel was a key supplier of military equipment to the Shah's regime, and the two nations collaborated on economic and intelligence projects. Iran, under the Shah, was one of the few Muslim-majority countries that recognized Israel's right to exist, although it never formally established diplomatic ties.

 

This collaboration was pragmatic, grounded in common geopolitical interests. Israel sought regional allies, particularly non-Arab ones, while Iran sought military and intelligence assistance from Israel to counterbalance growing Soviet influence and the strength of Arab states like Egypt and Iraq. Both nations benefited economically from their alliance, particularly in the oil trade.

Post-1979: The Islamic Revolution and the Reversal of Relations

The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran marked a dramatic turning point. Ayatollah Khomeini's new regime rejected the Shah's secular nationalism and embraced a form of revolutionary Shi'a Islamism that was deeply anti-Western and anti-Israel. The new Iranian leadership considered Israel to be an illegitimate, occupying force and began advocating for its destruction. From this point on, Iran's foreign policy toward Israel became rooted in ideological opposition, presenting Israel as a key enemy alongside the United States, which Iran referred to as the "Great Satan."

This ideological shift marked the beginning of four decades of hostility between the two nations, with Iran supporting anti-Israel terrorist groups, most notably Hezbollah in Lebanon and Palestinian groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Sources of Tension

Several factors have contributed to the persistent tension between Israel and Iran, including ideological differences, competition for regional dominance, and concerns over nuclear weapons.

Ideological Opposition

Iran's regime has framed its foreign policy around opposition to Zionism, which it sees as a colonial and oppressive force. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei, has frequently referred to Israel as a "cancerous tumor" that should be removed from the region. This ideology opposition extends beyond Israel's actions or policies—it challenges the very existence of the Jewish state.

For Israel, Iran's rhetoric is not merely inflammatory but deeply threatening. Israeli leaders see Iran's repeated calls for the destruction of Israel as existential in nature, and the country's military and intelligence policies have been designed around countering this threat.

Regional Rivalry

Beyond ideological opposition, Israel and Iran are also engaged in a broader contest for influence in the Middle East. Iran seeks to expand its influence through the "axis of resistance," a network of state and non-state actors that oppose Western influence and Israel This includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Assad regime in Syria, and various Shiite militias in Iraq and Yemen.

Israel views this Iranian-backed network as a direct threat to its security, particularly Hezbollah, which possesses an extensive arsenal of missiles capable of reaching deep into Israeli territory. In response, Israel has carried out numerous military operations to curtail Iran's influence, particularly in Syria, where Iranian forces and Hezbollah operate near Israel's borders.

The Nuclear Issue

Perhaps the most significant point of contention in recent years has been Iran's nuclear program. Israel believes that a nuclear-armed Iran would pose an existential threat, providing Tehran with the capability to strike Israel with nuclear weapons or embolden Iranian proxies to act more aggressively under a nuclear umbrella.

In contrast, Iran insists that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, such as energy production and medical research. However, its lack of transparency and previous violations of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) agreements have raised suspicions in Israel and the broader international community .

 

Israeli leaders have consistently lobbied for strong international action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. This has included diplomatic pressure on Western powers, and in some cases, Israel has taken unilateral military actions, such as cyberattacks (eg, Stuxnet) and targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, to slow down Iran's nuclear program.

Diplomatic Maneuvers

Despite their animosity, Israel and Iran have both engaged in complex diplomatic maneuvers aimed at maximizing their regional power while avoiding direct military confrontation. These maneuvers have involved a mix of military action, proxy warfare, alliances, and involvement in international diplomacy.

Israel's Strategy

Israel's diplomatic and military strategy concerning Iran has primarily focused on containment, deterrence, and prevention of Iran's nuclear ambitions. This strategy involves several key components:

1. Military Operations and Covert Actions : Israel has carried out numerous airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria and Iraq to disrupt Iran's military buildup in those areas. Israel is also widely believed to be behind cyberattacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists. These covert actions aim to delay Iran's nuclear ambitions without provoking a full-scale war.
2. Diplomatic Pressure on the International Community : Israel has consistently advocated for strong international sanctions against Iran. Israeli leaders, particularly under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, worked tirelessly to lobby against the 2015 Iran nuclear deal (formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action or JCPOA ). Netanyahu argued that the deal was insufficient to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and that the lifting of sanctions would empower Iran's regional ambitions. Netanyahu's speeches to the US Congress and the United Nations were a key part of Israel's diplomatic offensive against the JCPOA. Although Israel did not succeed in blocking the deal initially, its efforts were vindicated when the US under President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018, reinstating sanctions on Iran.
   
3. Alliances with Arab States : In a dramatic shift in Middle Eastern diplomacy, Israel has sought to build alliances with Sunni Arab states that also view Iran as a regional threat. This culminated in the signing of the Abraham Accords in 2020, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These agreements represent a significant shift in the region's geopolitical landscape. Historically, Arab states refused to normalize relations with Israel until the Palestinian issue was resolved. However, the common threat posed by Iran has encouraged these countries to set aside their differences with Israel and collaborate on issues of security and economic cooperation.
   

Iran's Strategy

Iran's strategy toward Israel is primarily driven by its ideological opposition to Zionism and its broader goals of regional dominance. However, it has also employed a mix of direct and indirect means to achieve its goals.

1. Support for Proxy Forces : Iran's most effective strategy in its confrontation with Israel has been the use of proxy forces. Iran provides military, financial, and logistical support to Hezbollah, Hamas, and other groups that are directly engaged in hostilities against Israel. Hezbollah, in particular, has become a major military force, with an estimated 130,000 rockets capable of hitting Israeli cities. Iran's support for these groups allows it to challenge Israel without risking direct military conflict.
2. Diplomatic Alliances : Iran has sought to build alliances with other anti-Israel actors, most notably Syria and Iraq. The Assad regime in Syria, reliant on Iranian support during the Syrian Civil War, has allowed Iranian forces and Hezbollah to operate near Israel's border. Iran also maintains influence over various Iraqi Shiite militias, some of which have launched attacks on US and Israeli targets in the region.
3. Nuclear Diplomacy : Iran has used its nuclear program as both a bargaining chip and a deterrent. By advancing its nuclear capabilities, Iran has sought to increase its leverage in international negotiations. At the same time, the possibility of acquiring nuclear weapons has provided Iran with a degree of deterrence against Israel and other regional actors. Iran's involvement in the JCPOA negotiations demonstrated its willingness to engage in diplomacy to alleviate international pressure, though its continued development of advanced nuclear technologies has kept tensions high. The diplomatic back-and-forth between Iran and world powers over the nuclear deal has added to the uncertainty in its relations with Israel.
   

Broader Regional and Global Impact

The Israel-Iran conflict extends beyond the bilateral relations and affects broader regional and international dynamics.

Middle Eastern Alliances and Rivalries

Iran's growing influence across the Middle East has alarmed several Arab states, particularly in the Gulf. Countries like Saudi Arabia and the UAE view Iran's expansionist ambitions and its support for proxy forces as destabilizing. This has pushed these countries to seek stronger ties with Israel, leading to unprecedented cooperation between Israel and Arab states.

The Sunni-Shi'a divide is also a factor, as Iran's Shiite identity puts it at odds with many Sunni-majority nations. Israel, as a non-Arab, non-Muslim state, has been able to position itself as a valuable ally to these Sunni powers, despite historical enmity.

US Involvement

The United States has played a significant role in the Israel-Iran conflict, particularly through its close relationship with Israel and its efforts to counter Iran's influence in the region. US sanctions on Iran and its withdrawal from the JCPOA have emboldened Israel's position, while American military support for Israel continues to provide a deterrent against Iranian aggression.

Russia and China's Role

Both Russia and China have played a more neutral or supportive role towards Iran. Russia's military involvement in Syria, where it supports both Iran and the Assad regime, complicates Israel's efforts to limit Iranian influence in the region. China, on the other hand, has maintained economic ties with Iran, particularly through oil purchases, and could play a role in any future negotiations involving Iran's nuclear program.

Conclusion

The relationship between Israel and Iran is characterized by deep ideological, geopolitical, and military tensions. Both countries have engaged in a series of diplomatic and military maneuvers aimed at advancing their regional interests while avoiding direct conflict. The broader implications of this rivalry extend across the Middle East and into the realm of global politics, involving major powers such as the United States, Russia, and China.

As both Israel and Iran continue to pursue their conflicting goals, the potential for either diplomatic breakthroughs or further escalation remains uncertain. In any case, Israel's relations with Iran will continue to be a key factor in shaping the geopolitics of the Middle East for years to come.