Historical Roots of the Rivalry

The Iran-Israel conflict didn’t emerge overnight. Its origins date back to the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which transformed Iran from a regional ally of Israel to its most vocal opponent. The new Islamic Republic adopted an explicitly anti-Israeli stance, framing its foreign policy around opposition to Zionism and support for Palestinian resistance.

1979-1989

The Iranian Revolution establishes an Islamic Republic. Ayatollah Khomeini declares Israel an “enemy of Islam” and adopts the Palestinian cause as central to Iran’s foreign policy.

1982

Israel invades Lebanon, leading to the formation of Hezbollah with Iranian support. This marks the beginning of Iran’s “proxy warfare” strategy against Israel.

1990s

Iran accelerates its nuclear program while Israel develops its missile defense systems. The two nations engage in covert operations against each other.

2005-2015

Mahmoud Ahmadinejad’s presidency escalates anti-Israeli rhetoric. The Stuxnet cyberattack (allegedly by Israel and US) damages Iran’s nuclear facilities. The JCPOA nuclear deal is signed in 2015.

The Ideological Divide

At its core, the conflict represents a clash of worldviews. Iran’s Islamic revolutionary ideology positions Israel as an illegitimate colonial entity occupying Muslim lands. Israel views Iran as an existential threat due to its nuclear ambitions, support for militant groups, and calls for Israel’s destruction.

Military Dimensions

$21.7B
Iran’s Military Budget
$23.4B
Israel’s Military Budget
1,300+
Iranian Ballistic Missiles
90%+
Iron Dome Success Rate

Asymmetric Warfare

Iran employs a strategy of “forward defense,” supporting proxy forces like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and various Shia militias in Syria and Iraq. This network allows Iran to threaten Israel without direct confrontation.

Israel’s Technological Edge

Israel compensates for its smaller size with technological superiority. Its multi-layered missile defense system (Iron Dome, David’s Sling, and Arrow) provides comprehensive protection against various threats. Israel also maintains regional air superiority and advanced cyber warfare capabilities.

Regional Military Presence

Iran has established a network of influence stretching from Tehran to the Mediterranean, surrounding Israel with proxy forces and missile capabilities

Geopolitical Dimensions

The Nuclear Question

Iran’s nuclear program remains the most contentious issue. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat and has repeatedly stated it will use military force to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. The collapse of the JCPOA agreement has heightened tensions and accelerated Iran’s nuclear activities.

Regional Alliances

The conflict has reshaped Middle Eastern alliances:

The Abraham Accords

Israel normalized relations with UAE, Bahrain, and other Arab states, partly driven by shared concerns about Iran

The “Axis of Resistance”

Iran leads an alliance including Syria, Hezbollah, Hamas, and Shia militias in Iraq and Yemen

Great Power Competition

Russia and China support Iran while the U.S. provides military aid to Israel, creating a proxy conflict between global powers

Economic Warfare

Both nations employ economic measures against each other. Iran uses oil exports to fund its proxies while Israel pressures international companies to avoid business with Iran. U.S. sanctions have devastated Iran’s economy but failed to change its regional policies.