What’s the Issue?
The long-running tensions between Israel and Iran have recently flared into direct military confrontations, drawing the United States into the conflict.
In the latest escalation, U.S. President Donald Trump announced airstrikes on three critical Iranian nuclear sites – Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan – intensifying a crisis that has been brewing for decades.
This came just after Israel launched its own airstrikes against an Iranian nuclear research facility and eliminated three senior Iranian commanders.
The Israeli operation, dubbed “Operation Rising Lion”, was one of its largest pre-emptive strikes in recent times. In retaliation, Iran launched ballistic missile attacks on Israel, intensifying fears of a regional war that could draw in global powers.
The History: From Cooperation to Conflict
1️⃣ Pre-1979: An Unlikely Partnership
After Israel’s establishment in 1948, it was surrounded by hostile Arab nations. Iran, then ruled by Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, was one of the first Muslim-majority nations to recognize Israel. Both nations were aligned with the United States and shared economic and security interests. Israel sold military equipment and received oil from Iran, making them covertly close allies in a hostile neighbourhood.
2️⃣ The 1979 Revolution: The Turning Point
The 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran changed this dynamic drastically. The new regime, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, condemned Israel as an occupier of Palestinian land and branded Israel the “Little Satan” and the United States the “Great Satan.” Since then, Iran has sought to expand its influence in the Middle East, challenging Israel and its ally, the United States.
3️⃣ Shadow Wars and Proxy Conflicts
Although Israel and Iran have never engaged in direct, full-scale war, tensions have played out through proxy attacks and covert strikes:
- Israel has conducted airstrikes and cyberattacks (like the Stuxnet virus in 2010) to hamper Iran’s nuclear program.
- Iran has backed anti-Israel militant groups, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.
What Sparked the Latest Conflict?
Relations worsened sharply in recent years as Iran ramped up uranium enrichment and openly expressed its goal to eradicate Israel. Israel, under its Begin Doctrine (a policy justifying pre-emptive strikes to prevent enemies from acquiring weapons of mass destruction), launched Operation Rising Lion. In one of the biggest assaults in decades, Israel targeted Iranian nuclear and military facilities and killed senior Iranian military personnel.
Iran responded with ballistic missile attacks on Israel, intensifying the crisis and prompting direct U.S. military involvement.
Main Causes of the Current Conflict
✅ Nuclear Fears: Israel considers a nuclear-armed Iran an existential threat. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated that Iran has crossed dangerous thresholds in its uranium enrichment program, making a nuclear weapon within reach.
✅ Iran’s Proxy Role: Iran supports armed groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, challenging Israel across its borders and making any future attack highly unpredictable.
✅ Direct Confrontation: The conflict has evolved from indirect attacks and cyber operations (e.g., the Stuxnet virus) to direct air and missile strikes across borders, escalating tensions between the nations.
What’s at Stake Now?
The recent Israel–Iran crisis has serious global implications:
- The risk of an all-out war between the two nations could draw in the U.S., Russia, and other global powers.
- Oil prices have surged due to threats of a blockade in the Strait of Hormuz, a vital route for global oil shipments.
- The crisis threatens to further destabilize an already tense Middle East, making a diplomatic solution more urgent than ever.
In a Nutshell
The Israel–Iran conflict is rooted in decades of rivalry – shifting from early cooperation to post-1979 hostility. It is shaped by religious ideology, strategic interests, and the looming threat of nuclear weapons. The latest crisis marks a pivotal moment, as direct attacks and threats could redefine security dynamics across the Middle East and the globe.
Source: Indian Express
Read More : Israel–Iran Conflict: From History to Latest Escalation.