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Once close allies, Iran and Israel are now known as staunch enemies, their relationship marked by hostility and mutual distrust. Historically, the two nations shared deep diplomatic, commercial, and even military ties, but a series of geopolitical shifts transformed their bond into one of the most contentious rivalries in the Middle East.
Following Israel's establishment in 1948, Iran became the second Muslim-majority country, after Turkey, to recognize it in 1950 during the reign of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. This period saw robust ties, with both nations setting up embassies in each other’s capitals, engaging in regular bilateral visits, and fostering cooperation. Iran was a key supplier of oil to Israel, and the two countries collaborated closely, notably when Israel’s intelligence agency, Mossad, assisted in establishing Iran’s SAVAK intelligence organization in 1957. Iran’s alignment with Israel was largely driven by its desire to secure U.S. support during the Cold War era.
However, public sentiment in Iran was not always aligned with the government’s stance. Religious leaders and leftist groups viewed Israel as an illegitimate occupier, particularly due to the Palestinian issue, fostering widespread anti-Israel sentiment. This disconnect culminated in the 1979 Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, which fundamentally altered Iran’s foreign policy. The newly established Islamic Republic severed all ties with Israel, converting the Israeli embassy in Tehran into a Palestinian embassy and officially denying Israel’s legitimacy.
Since then, relations have deteriorated significantly. Iran’s nuclear program and development of long-range missiles have heightened Israel’s security concerns, while allegations of Israeli involvement in the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists have further escalated tensions. Today, the animosity between the two nations has reached a point where the possibility of direct conflict looms large.
The transformation of Iran and Israel from allies to adversaries stands as a pivotal chapter in Middle Eastern geopolitics, shaping the region’s dynamics and underscoring the complexities of ideological and strategic divides.
AI/MR
