Unpacking The Deep-Seated Enmity: Why Iran And Israel Hate Each Other

Gordon Muller 22 Jun 2025

The Middle East is a region perpetually on edge, and at the heart of much of its instability lies one of the world's most dangerous rivalries: the intense animosity between Iran and Israel. For many, the sheer geographical distance – thousands of miles and several countries separating them – makes this profound hatred seem almost inexplicable. People often wonder, "Why do Iran and Israel hate each other so much?" It's a question that perplexes observers and fuels anxieties about regional conflict, yet most people only grasp the headlines without understanding the complex historical and political layers beneath.

This isn't merely a disagreement between two nations; it's a deep-seated enmity that has shaped the Middle East for decades, escalating from covert operations to open confrontations. To truly comprehend the current volatile situation, including recent events that have pushed the region to the brink, we must delve into the origins of this rivalry, tracing its transformation from an unlikely alliance into a fierce, existential struggle. This article will explore the historical and ongoing enmity between Iran and Israel, examining their surprising past, the pivotal impact of the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the multifaceted issues that continue to fuel their mutual hostility.

From Covert Allies to Open Adversaries: A Historical Overview

The Unlikely Alliance: Before 1979
The Seismic Shift: Iran's Islamic Revolution

The Ideological Divide: Non-Recognition and Existential Threats
The Shadow War: Proxy Conflicts Across the Middle East

Lebanon, Syria, and Beyond: Iran's Network
Israel's Counter-Operations and Deterrence

The Nuclear Question: A Persistent Point of Contention
Shifting Alliances and Regional Dynamics
The October 7 Catalyst and Escalating Tensions
Beyond Geography: Understanding the Depth of the Hatred

From Covert Allies to Open Adversaries: A Historical Overview

The current state of fierce hostility between Iran and Israel is a relatively modern phenomenon, a stark contrast to their relationship for much of the Cold War. To truly grasp why Iran and Israel hate each other today, we must first understand their surprising past. The origins of this rivalry between the Islamic Republic and the Jewish state trace back directly to a pivotal moment in Iranian history, marking a dramatic turn in a long, complex history.

The Unlikely Alliance: Before 1979

It might seem incredible given today's animosity, but before Iran’s 1979 revolution, the two countries were close allies. In fact, Iran was one of the first states to recognize Israel after it was founded in 1948. This recognition was not merely symbolic; it laid the groundwork for a robust, albeit often covert, strategic partnership. For most of the Cold War, the relationship was cordial, characterized by significant cooperation. They traded arms, oil, and intelligence, forming a pragmatic alliance driven by shared interests.

Under the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the authoritarian Shah of Iran, Israel was seen as a key partner against Arab rivals. Both nations, non-Arab states in a predominantly Arab region, found common ground in containing the influence of pan-Arab nationalism and Soviet expansionism. Israel, in particular, regarded Iran as an ally against the Arab states, often preferring some tension between Iran and the Arabs to use them against each other. It was always Israel that was the proactive party in seeking this alliance, but the Shah also wanted a way to improve Iran’s relations with the US, and at the time Israel was seen as a good way to achieve that aim. This strategic alignment, though largely out of public view, fostered a period of cordiality and mutual benefit, making the current animosity all the more striking when considering their historical ties.

The Seismic Shift: Iran's Islamic Revolution

The pivotal moment that irrevocably transformed this cordial relationship into fierce hostility was Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. This monumental event saw the overthrow of Israel’s close ally, the Shah, by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s forces. The rise of the Islamic Republic fundamentally reshaped Iran's foreign policy and its regional identity. The new regime, rooted in revolutionary Islamic ideology, immediately adopted a stance of staunch anti-Zionism, viewing Israel as an illegitimate entity and a Western outpost in the Muslim world.

This ideological shift was profound. Iran's current government does not recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state, a foundational principle that underpins much of their subsequent interactions. The relationship, which had been cordial for most of the Cold War, worsened following the Iranian revolution and has been openly hostile since the end of the Gulf War in 1991. The Islamic Republic’s rise, coupled with its subsequent proxy wars and nuclear ambitions, irrevocably turned friendship into enmity, setting the stage for the decades of conflict that have shaped the Middle East.

The Ideological Divide: Non-Recognition and Existential Threats

At the core of why Iran and Israel hate each other so intensely lies a fundamental ideological chasm. For the Islamic Republic of Iran, the very existence of Israel is an affront to its revolutionary principles. As mentioned, Iran's current government does not recognize Israel's legitimacy as a state, viewing it as an occupying entity in Palestine. This non-recognition is not merely a diplomatic stance; it is deeply embedded in the regime's foundational ideology, often expressed through the slogan "Death to Israel." This rhetoric, though sometimes interpreted as aspirational rather than literal, is perceived by Israel as an existential threat.

From Israel's perspective, Iran's revolutionary ideology, its pursuit of nuclear capabilities, and its support for various anti-Israel militant groups represent a direct and undeniable threat to its security and survival. The pronouncements from Tehran are taken very seriously in Jerusalem, fueling a sense that Iran seeks Israel's destruction. This perception of an existential threat from both sides means that the conflict is not just about geopolitical interests but about fundamental rights to exist and thrive in the region. This ideological clash is a powerful driver of the animosity, making any reconciliation incredibly difficult as it would require a fundamental shift in the core beliefs of one or both states.

The Shadow War: Proxy Conflicts Across the Middle East

Since the 1970s, even before the full-blown open hostility, Iran and Israel had been locked in a longstanding proxy conflict. This "shadow war" has been a defining characteristic of their rivalry, largely fought on foreign soil and through various non-state actors. It was largely on a low boil as the two sides attacked each other — mostly quietly and in Iran’s case often by using its proxies. Both countries have also launched subtle military operations against each other, including cyberattacks, assassinations, and sabotage, making the conflict complex and often difficult to trace directly.

Lebanon, Syria, and Beyond: Iran's Network

Iran has cultivated a vast network of proxy groups and allies across the Middle East, often referred to as the "Axis of Resistance." Key among these are Hezbollah in Lebanon, various Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, and Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in Gaza. These groups receive financial, military, and logistical support from Tehran, enabling them to exert influence and project Iranian power far beyond its borders. For Israel, these proxies are direct threats on its borders. Hezbollah, for instance, possesses a formidable arsenal of rockets and missiles capable of striking deep into Israeli territory, while Iranian-backed groups in Syria pose a continuous challenge to Israel's northern frontier.

Iran's strategy is to create a credible deterrent and to apply pressure on Israel from multiple fronts, effectively surrounding it with hostile non-state actors. This approach allows Iran to engage in conflict without directly exposing its own military to Israeli retaliation, maintaining a degree of plausible deniability while still achieving its strategic objectives. The presence and activities of these proxies are a constant source of tension and a primary reason why Iran and Israel hate each other, as they represent a direct challenge to Israel's security and regional dominance.

Israel's Counter-Operations and Deterrence

In response to Iran's proxy strategy, Israel has adopted a proactive approach, engaging in what it calls the "war between the wars" – a continuous campaign aimed at degrading Iran's military capabilities and preventing the transfer of advanced weaponry to its proxies. This involves frequent airstrikes in Syria against Iranian targets and Hezbollah arms convoys, as well as covert operations against Iran's nuclear program and military infrastructure. These actions are designed to maintain Israel's qualitative military edge and to deter Iran from further escalation.

Israel's operations are often characterized by precision and secrecy, aiming to disrupt Iranian strategic objectives without triggering a full-scale regional war. However, these operations carry inherent risks of escalation. For example, Iran blames Israel for a strike on its Syria consulate, an act it views as a direct attack on its sovereign territory, and has vowed to retaliate. Such incidents highlight the precarious balance of power and the constant risk of miscalculation in this long-standing shadow war, further entrenching the reasons why Iran and Israel hate each other.

The Nuclear Question: A Persistent Point of Contention

Perhaps no single issue fuels the animosity between Iran and Israel more acutely than Iran's nuclear program. From Israel's perspective, a nuclear-armed Iran is an existential threat of the highest order. Given Iran's ideological stance of non-recognition and its calls for Israel's demise, Jerusalem views Tehran's pursuit of nuclear weapons capability as an unacceptable risk that could fundamentally alter the regional balance of power and pose an immediate danger to its survival. Israel has consistently stated that it will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, and it has reportedly taken covert actions to impede the program, including sabotage and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

Iran, on the other hand, maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, primarily energy generation and medical research, and asserts its right to develop nuclear technology under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, its past clandestine activities and lack of full transparency with international inspectors have fueled suspicions. The nuclear issue, alongside the ongoing proxy wars and the shifting alliances in the region, suggests that this conflict is unlikely to be resolved in the foreseeable future. The specter of a nuclear Iran casts a long shadow over the Middle East, making the question of why Iran and Israel hate each other even more critical and urgent.

Shifting Alliances and Regional Dynamics

The broader geopolitical landscape of the Middle East also plays a significant role in the Iran-Israel rivalry. The region is characterized by constantly shifting alliances and rivalries, and both Iran and Israel actively seek to bolster their positions by forging partnerships and undermining their adversaries. Iran's network of proxies and its strategic alliances with countries like Syria are aimed at projecting power and influence, particularly in the Levant and across the "Shiite crescent."

Conversely, Israel has sought to normalize relations with Arab states that share its concerns about Iranian expansionism. The Abraham Accords, which saw Israel establish diplomatic ties with the UAE, Bahrain, Sudan, and Morocco, are a prime example of this strategy. These agreements represent a significant realignment in the Middle East, creating an informal anti-Iran front that further isolates Tehran. The competition for regional dominance, the attempts to form opposing blocs, and the struggle for influence all contribute to the deep-seated reasons why Iran and Israel hate each other, transforming the conflict into a broader struggle for the future of the Middle East.

The October 7 Catalyst and Escalating Tensions

While the animosity between Iran and Israel has simmered for decades, the events of October 7, 2023, triggered a cascade of events that are the proximate cause of the current war in Gaza and a significant escalation in the broader regional conflict. The Hamas attack on Israel and Israel's subsequent military operation in Gaza have dramatically heightened tensions across the Middle East. Mark Kelly noted that the Gaza war has led to another debate about what this means for regional stability, and indeed, it has directly impacted the Iran-Israel dynamic.

Following the October 7 attacks, the shadow war between Iran and Israel intensified. Iran blames Israel for a strike on its Syria consulate, which resulted in the deaths of senior Iranian military commanders. This incident marked a dramatic turn in the long, complex history, as it was perceived as Israel’s first open offensive on Iranian diplomatic territory, prompting Iran to vow retaliation. Iran subsequently hit back with all it can, launching hundreds of drones and missiles directly at Israel, an unprecedented direct attack that shattered the long-standing convention of proxy warfare. This direct confrontation forced America to help defend Israel, illustrating the dangerous potential for wider conflict. The United Nations has warned that the Middle East is on a precipice of a conflict that would be devastating for the region and the rest of the world, a stark reminder of the global implications of why Iran and Israel hate each other to this degree.

Beyond Geography: Understanding the Depth of the Hatred

For an outsider, it can be perplexing to comprehend the sheer depth of animosity between two countries separated by thousands of miles and several nations. "I can understand if two countries don't get along," one might think, "but I don't see tangible reasons why they would hate each other to this degree." Indeed, it's not like Iran is best friends with the Arab world either, adding another layer of complexity to the regional dynamics. One thing that many people look for is the reason why two particular countries that are thousands of miles apart in terms of distance and caliber so much hate each other.

The answer lies not in simple geographical proximity or direct border disputes, but in a potent mix of historical grievances, ideological clashes, proxy warfare, and strategic competition for regional dominance. Perhaps no one knows how all that hate began in the first place, but we can trace its evolution from a pragmatic alliance to a bitter rivalry rooted in competing visions for the Middle East. The Iranian Revolution fundamentally altered the equation, transforming a strategic partner into an ideological foe. This shift, combined with the nuclear issue, the relentless proxy wars, and the recent direct military exchanges, has created a volatile environment where both nations perceive the other as an existential threat. The conflict between Israel and Iran has shaped the Middle East for decades, and its current trajectory suggests that this dangerous rivalry will continue to be a defining feature of regional instability for the foreseeable future.

Conclusion

The question of "why do Iran and Israel hate each other" is far more intricate than simple headlines suggest. It's a narrative woven from a surprising history of alliance, a transformative revolution, deeply entrenched ideological divides, a relentless shadow war fought through proxies, and the ever-present specter of nuclear proliferation. What began as a strategic partnership against common foes mutated into an existential struggle following Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution, with the new regime refusing to recognize Israel's legitimacy and Israel viewing Iran's ambitions as a direct threat to its survival.

The ongoing proxy conflicts, the nuclear issue, and the recent direct military exchanges have pushed this rivalry to unprecedented levels, threatening to engulf the wider Middle East in a devastating conflict. Understanding these multifaceted layers is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the complexities of regional geopolitics. This is not just a distant conflict; its implications reverberate globally. We encourage you to delve deeper into the nuances of this critical relationship. What are your thoughts on the future of Iran-Israel relations? Share your insights in the comments below, and consider exploring our other articles on Middle Eastern affairs to broaden your understanding of this vital region.

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Unpacking The Deep-Seated Enmity: Why Iran And Israel Hate Each Other

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