Introduction
The historical roots of the hostility between Iran and Israel have drawn the attention not only from the Middle East but from the entire world. Since the 1979 Iranian revolution, the close allies became enemies to each other. This article outlined the emergence of war between these two countries from scratch. Subsequently, it has discussed the consequences of the recently launched Operation Rising Lion by Israel on Iran.
An amicable relationship between Iran and Israel
In the reign of the Pahlavi Dynasty (Which is the royal dynasty that ruled Iran till the monarchy system was eradicated through the 1979 Iranian revolution), both the country Iran and Israel did not maintain even an awful relation. The main reason is that Iran de facto recognised Israel within the 2 years of its establishment in 1950. They allowed the Israeli diplomatic mission to open up in Tehran, which is the capital of Iran. However, Iran prefers to maintain a neutral public stance toward Israel over the complete setup of an embassy within the country to avoid angering Arab nations and its Muslim population. Nowadays, it would be hard to digest that Iran and Israel engaged in a strategic partnership and shared military and intelligence cooperation. Till 1980, Iran and Israel worked together closely, where Iran supplied oil to Israel and in exchange they provided military assistant that ultimately developed the mutual security.
How did the friendship convert into an enemy?
Involve of Iran in to invade of Israel
There was a level of support against Israel already existing and brewing in Iran as early as the 1960s. Many Iranian are volunteering to fight against Israel inside the Palestinian Liberation Organisation (PLO). One of the key turning points was in 1979, when the Iranian Revolution took centre stage, overthrowing the Western-allied Pahlavi dynasty and transforming the monarchy into an Islamic Republic with the establishment of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The new government of Iran became hostile toward Israel and the United States. Iran completely cut ties with Israel and kicked out their Embassy and the diplomatic presence from Tehran. The new ideology that is rooted in Islam considers Israel a colonial project that oppresses Palestine Muslims. The conflict is primarily driven by ideological factors rather than material concerns, such as territory, economic gain, or resources.
Proxy wars
Covert hostilities
After the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982, as an act of retaliation after a PLO attack, Iran began their direct support for the Hezbollah fighters in Lebanon (a Lebanese militant group). Iran stood their support of these fighters by providing military equipment and proper training. Since 1980, Iran has sent hundreds of millions of dollars in support of Hezbollah. A decade later, in 1990, Iran was subjected to another proxy inside Gaza, this time. In 1993, Iran sold millions of dollars weapons and provided training to the Hamas (an extremist organisation) fighters inside Gaza to facilitate the attack on Israel. Blockading Gaza with the walls by Israel has started one kind of covert war in the 2020s is one small reason for escalating the war between Israel and Iran.
Why is the conflict between Iran and Israel in the news?
A big no to the development of Iran's nuclear weapons
There are lots of factors that can be pointed out for this war since October 2023, when Hamas attacked Israel and Israel launched its War on Gaza, the world has witnessed a period of heightened tension in the Middle East. Over the years, Israel has been adamant that it won't allow Iran to set up a nuclear weapon because it sees it as an existential threat. Though Iran has said their nuclear program is peaceful and only developed for civilian use.
Initiation of operation Rising Lion
Israel has launched Operation Rising Lion on June 13, 2025 to execute the air strikes on Iran through which Israel wants to crippling the nuclear weapon capabilities of Iran. Various nuclear facilities, including Fordow and Natanz, along with Tehran’s military command centres and Critical Infrastructures such as radar bases, oil depots and TV stations, have been attacked.
The nature of the attack
Reportedly, the penetration bunker-buster bombs have been used that resulting in massive underground explosions. Aftermath of the heavy bombardment, the Iranian seismological centre has documented a 2.5 magnitude earthquake near Qom, which is close to Fordow. They believe that it was not tectonic rather it is man-made, caused by an underground blast.
Civilian and humanitarian loss
The war between Israel and Iran has taken heavy losses, where Iran has reported more than 700 people till 21st June from the Israeli strike. The security personnel and civilians remain under the attack that took their lives. Israel, on the other hand, has claimed many disruptions and casualties inside the country. Hospitals, homes, and many other infrastructure has been destroyed due to the Iranian attack on Israel.
Conclusion
The war between Israel and Iran has significantly modified the military and political landscape of the Middle East. Negotiation is the only solution to stop the war, but no one is showing any kind of flexibility to sit at the discussion table.