Historical, political, and military relations between Israel and Iran have been complex and often strained since the establishment of Israel in 1948. The roots of the tension can be traced to cultural, ideological, and political differences. Here is a chronological summary of the key events that have shaped the relationship between the two nations:
- After World War II: In the aftermath of World War II, Iran was initially supportive of the establishment of Israel in 1948. However, as the Cold War intensified, Iran shifted its stance towards being more critical of Israel, in line with its alignment with the Soviet Union.
- The Islamic Revolution: In 1979, the Islamic Revolution in Iran brought the Ayatollah Khomeini to power, leading to the establishment of an Islamic Republic. The revolution had a profound impact on Iran's foreign policy, with a focus on spreading the Islamic Revolution and supporting Islamic causes in the region. This included opposition to Israel and support for Palestinian groups.
- Iran-Iraq War: The 1980-1988 Iran-Iraq War further strained relations between Iran and Israel. Israel provided military and intelligence support to Iraq, which was seen as a direct threat to Iran. Following the end of the war, Iran increased its support for Hezbollah and other anti-Israel militant groups in the region.
- Nuclear Program: In the 2000s, concerns over Iran's nuclear program further escalated tensions between the two nations. Israel viewed Iran's nuclear program as a direct threat to its security and called for international action to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- Military Strikes: Israel has been suspected of carrying out several military strikes against Iran's nuclear program, including a cyberattack in 2010 known as Stuxnet, and other airstrikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
- 2015 Nuclear Deal: In 2015, Iran signed the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), also known as the Iran nuclear deal, with six world powers. The deal aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for lifting economic sanctions. Israel opposed the deal, viewing it as insufficient to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
- U.S. Withdrawal from JCPOA: In 2018, the U.S. withdrew from the JCPOA, under the administration of President Donald Trump. The U.S. reimposed economic sanctions on Iran, further straining relations between the two nations.
- Recent Tensions: Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated in recent years, with both sides exchanging military strikes. In 2018, Israel carried out a series of airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria, and in 2019, Iran launched missiles at Israeli forces in the Golan Heights.
In conclusion, the relationship between Israel and Iran has been marked by political and military tensions, rooted in ideological and cultural differences. The tensions have been exacerbated by Iran's support for anti-Israel militant groups and its nuclear program, and have been further escalated by recent military strikes and the U.S. withdrawal from the Iran nuclear deal.