**For more than four decades, Iran’s rulers have pledged to destroy Israel, a policy that has become a crucial component of its entire regional strategy.** This long-standing animosity raises a significant question: Why does Iran want to destroy Israel? The complex relationship, marked by loud promises to conquer Jerusalem and wipe Israel off the map, has deep historical, ideological, and geopolitical roots, transforming what was once an alliance into a bitter rivalry. Understanding the motivations behind Iran’s aggressive stance requires a look back at the historical trajectory of their relationship, the ideological underpinnings of the Islamic Revolution, and the ongoing geopolitical power struggles in the Middle East. From its very inception in 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran based its foreign policy on hostility toward Israel and the creation of proxy militias in the Middle East, setting the stage for the enduring conflict we observe today. ## Table of Contents * [The Unlikely Alliance: Before the Revolution](#the-unlikely-alliance-before-the-revolution) * [The Seismic Shift: Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution](#the-seismic-shift-irans-1979-islamic-revolution) * [Ideological Foundations of Hostility](#ideological-foundations-of-hostility) * [The "Ummah" and Religious Obligation](#the-ummah-and-religious-obligation) * [Proxy Warfare and Regional Strategy](#proxy-warfare-and-regional-strategy) * [Hamas and Hezbollah: Iran's Armed Arms](#hamas-and-hezbollah-irans-armed-arms) * [Escalating Tensions: Recent Confrontations](#escalating-tensions-recent-confrontations) * [The Nuclear Question: Deterrence or Destruction?](#the-nuclear-question-deterrence-or-destruction) * [The Rhetoric of Annihilation: What "Destroy Israel" Truly Means](#the-rhetoric-of-annihilation-what-destroy-israel-truly-means) * [Navigating a Complex Future](#navigating-a-complex-future) ## The Unlikely Alliance: Before the Revolution To truly grasp why Iran wants to destroy Israel, it's essential to understand that their current animosity is a relatively recent phenomenon in the grand sweep of history. In fact, Israel and Iran were allies until Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution. This might come as a surprise to many, given the fierce rhetoric of today. Iran was one of the first states to recognize Israel after it was founded in 1948. This recognition was not merely symbolic; it was rooted in pragmatic geopolitical considerations. Israel regarded Iran as an ally against the Arab states, many of whom were hostile to both nations at various points. Under the Shah, Iran saw Israel as a strategic partner in the region, providing a counterbalance to Arab nationalism and Soviet influence. The relationship was mutually beneficial. It was always Israel that was the proactive party, but the Shah also wanted a way to improve its [Iran’s] relations with the US, and at the time Israel was seen as a good way to achieve that aim. This strategic alignment meant that despite some underlying tensions, the two nations maintained diplomatic and economic ties, fostering a period of cooperation that stands in stark contrast to the current state of affairs. This historical context is crucial for understanding the profound shift that occurred after 1979. ## The Seismic Shift: Iran's 1979 Islamic Revolution The year 1979 marked a watershed moment that fundamentally altered Iran's foreign policy and its relationship with Israel. The Islamic Revolution, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, ushered in a new era for Iran, transforming it from a pro-Western monarchy into an anti-Western Islamic republic. This ideological transformation was the primary catalyst for Iran's newfound hostility towards Israel. The Iranian government under Khomeini considered Israel as a colonial outpost that promotes the interest of the West. This perception was deeply ingrained in the revolutionary ideology, viewing Israel not just as a sovereign state but as an extension of Western imperialism in the heart of the Muslim world. Consequently, Iran then withdrew recognition of Israel as a state, severed all diplomatic and economic ties with the country, called the Israeli government a Zionist regime, and referred to the entire land under Israel as occupied Palestine. This dramatic reversal laid the groundwork for the decades of animosity that followed. ### Ideological Foundations of Hostility Iran’s aggression against Israel centers on three factors, primarily rooted in the ideological tenets of the Islamic Revolution. First and foremost, Iran’s Islamists consider Israel an illegitimate state that drove the Palestinians from their homeland. This perspective views the establishment of Israel as an act of injustice and occupation, fundamentally undermining its right to exist. The founder of the revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, set the standard for this unwavering stance, which has been consistently upheld by his successors. This ideological rejection of Israel's legitimacy is not merely political; it is deeply religious. In this struggle between good and evil, Muslims have a religious obligation to resist Israel and global Jewry. This framing elevates the conflict beyond mere geopolitical rivalry to a sacred duty, making any compromise or normalization of relations incredibly difficult from Tehran's perspective. The narrative of an illegitimate, occupying entity is central to understanding why Iran wants to destroy Israel. ### The "Ummah" and Religious Obligation A critical component of Iran's ideological opposition to Israel stems from the concept of the "ummah," the global Muslim community. Since Islam views all Muslims as part of the “ummah,” this is seen as an attack on Islam requiring a defense of. The plight of the Palestinians, therefore, is not merely a local issue but a concern for all Muslims worldwide. Iran positions itself as the vanguard of this defense, asserting its leadership in resisting what it perceives as an affront to the entire Islamic world. This sense of religious obligation fuels Iran's support for various Palestinian factions and its broader anti-Israel agenda. It provides a moral and theological justification for its actions, portraying its hostility not as an act of aggression but as a righteous defense of Islamic lands and people. This deeply embedded religious conviction is a fundamental reason why Iran has been very hostile to Israel since the Islamic Revolution and why its rulers have pledged to destroy Israel for over four decades. ## Proxy Warfare and Regional Strategy A key manifestation of Iran's foreign policy since 1979 has been its reliance on proxy militias in the Middle East. This strategy allows Iran to project power and exert influence without direct military confrontation, effectively turning regional conflicts into extensions of its broader struggle against Israel and Western influence. Marked by loud promises to destroy Israel and conquer Jerusalem, this policy has over four decades become a crucial component of its entire regional strategy. Iran's support for militant groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, which have engaged in armed conflict with Israel, has exacerbated tensions between the two nations. These groups serve as Iran's "forward defense" against Israel, capable of launching attacks and maintaining pressure on Israel's borders. This indirect approach is strategic, allowing Iran to deny direct involvement while still achieving its objectives. ### Hamas and Hezbollah: Iran's Armed Arms Hezbollah, a powerful Lebanese Shiite political party and militant group, has received extensive financial, military, and logistical support from Iran for decades. It has fought multiple wars with Israel, most notably in 2006, and remains a significant threat on Israel's northern border. Its arsenal, including tens of thousands of rockets, is seen by Israel as a direct extension of Iran's military capabilities. Similarly, Iran's support for Hamas, the Sunni Islamist group that controls the Gaza Strip, has been instrumental in enabling its armed resistance against Israel. The situation intensified after Israel’s invasion of Gaza in October 2023, in response to a Hamas attack on Israel, further highlighting the role of Iranian-backed proxies in regional instability. While the relationship between Iran and Hamas has seen fluctuations, especially due to sectarian differences (Shiite Iran supporting Sunni Hamas), their shared animosity towards Israel has often overridden these divisions. Israel, in turn, has conducted military strikes against Iranian targets in Syria, viewing Iran's presence there as a threat to its security. These strikes often target weapons shipments destined for Hezbollah or Iranian military infrastructure. This tit-for-tat exchange of blows, often through proxies or in third countries, underscores the covert but intense conflict between Iran and Israel, a conflict where Iran recognizes the technological superiority of the IDF but seeks to circumvent it. Senior Iranian military officials are developing concepts for destroying Israel without having to defeat the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), a clear indication of their strategic thinking. ## Escalating Tensions: Recent Confrontations The animosity between Iran and Israel has not remained static; it has intensified significantly in recent years, marked by direct confrontations that underscore the perilous state of their relationship. Both Iran and Israel have conducted strikes on one another, including the. This direct engagement marks a dangerous escalation from the traditional proxy warfare. A notable incident occurred on April 1, when an attack on the consulate building in Damascus, for which Iran blames Israel, was carried out. Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, has said this attack was tantamount to an attack on Iranian territory. This declaration signaled a significant shift, indicating that Iran would consider future attacks on its diplomatic or military personnel abroad as direct assaults on its sovereignty. This was swiftly followed by a direct response from Iran. On April 13, earlier this year, Iran even fired ballistic missiles into Israel. This unprecedented direct missile attack represented a major escalation, demonstrating Iran's willingness to use its conventional military capabilities against Israel, albeit in a measured way, to avoid a full-scale war. Another critical flashpoint was the killing of Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which the Islamic Republic of Iran has threatened to strike Israel after, as they blame Israel for his death. These incidents highlight the volatile nature of the conflict and the potential for rapid escalation, further reinforcing the question: Why does Iran want to destroy Israel? The answer lies not just in ideology but in the tangible actions and reactions that define their ongoing struggle. ## The Nuclear Question: Deterrence or Destruction? The specter of Iran's nuclear program looms large over the conflict with Israel, adding another layer of complexity and urgency to the question of why Iran wants to destroy Israel. At the same time, the Islamic Republic has doggedly pursued its nuclear weapon ambitions, in the first place as a means of deterring Israel from defending itself against conventional attacks. This defensive posture is often cited by Iran as the primary motivation for its nuclear program, aiming to create a credible deterrent against potential Israeli military strikes on its nuclear facilities or other strategic assets. However, Israel and its allies view Iran's nuclear ambitions with extreme alarm, fearing a more sinister motive. In the second place, to give it weapons of mass destruction to destroy Israel. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed to prevent Tehran from building a nuclear bomb, “one way or the other.” President Trump said he “does not want” Israel to attack, highlighting the international concern and the high stakes involved. The possession of nuclear weapons would fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Middle East, potentially giving Iran an unprecedented capability to fulfill its long-standing threats. Iran turns up the heat on Israel with every advancement in its nuclear program, increasing the urgency of international efforts to curb its nuclear ambitions. For Israel, an Iranian nuclear weapon is an existential threat, making its prevention a top national security priority and further fueling the cycle of tension and confrontation. ## The Rhetoric of Annihilation: What "Destroy Israel" Truly Means The consistent rhetoric from Iranian leadership about destroying Israel often leads to interpretations of an immediate, physical annihilation of the state and its people. However, the nuances of this rhetoric, particularly from the highest echelons of power, reveal a more complex, albeit still deeply hostile, intent. Belying Tehran's relentless threats to ensure 'nothing left' of Jewish state, 'raze' Tel Aviv and Haifa, leader says aim is to abolish 'regime,' get rid of 'thugs' like Netanyahu. This distinction is crucial. While the public and often translated rhetoric speaks of "wiping off the map," the more precise language used by figures like Ayatollah Ali Khamenei often refers to the abolition of the "Zionist regime" rather than the genocide of its people. This implies a desire for a fundamental political change, replacing the current Israeli government with a Palestinian state, rather than a literal mass destruction of the population. However, this nuance does not diminish the severity of the threat. The deputy head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps said Monday that Tehran’s strategy was to eventually wipe Israel off the “global political map.” Asked by a reporter in Tehran, this statement, while still political, implies the complete removal of Israel as a recognized entity on the world stage. Furthermore, Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi, explained that “Zarif’s remarks are consistent with the permanent policy of Iran,” and the question he was asked had tripped him up, because “Khomeini and Khamenei did say that Israel would disappear from the face of the earth within 25 years because of its policy, but they did not say Iran would be the one to destroy it.” This suggests a belief that Israel's own policies will lead to its demise, rather than a direct Iranian military conquest, though Iran would certainly contribute to that outcome through its support for resistance movements. Regardless of the precise interpretation, the underlying message is clear: Iran views the current state of Israel as illegitimate and seeks its ultimate disappearance. This unwavering policy, rooted in the Islamic Revolution's principles, continues to define why Iran wants to destroy Israel, making it a central pillar of its regional and international strategy. ## Navigating a Complex Future The question of why Iran wants to destroy Israel is multifaceted, rooted in a complex tapestry of historical grievances, deep-seated ideological convictions, and ongoing geopolitical power struggles. From the revolutionary fervor of 1979 that transformed an unlikely alliance into bitter enmity, to the current era of proxy conflicts, direct missile exchanges, and nuclear ambitions, the animosity between Tehran and Jerusalem shows no signs of abating. Iran’s aggression against Israel centers on its Islamist view of Israel as an illegitimate state, a colonial outpost, and an affront to the global Muslim community. This ideological stance, coupled with strategic calculations to project power and deter perceived threats, has fueled decades of hostility. The rhetoric of "wiping off the map," while sometimes nuanced to mean the abolition of a regime, nonetheless signifies an existential threat to Israel. As both nations continue to conduct strikes on one another, and Iran relentlessly pursues its nuclear program, the stakes remain incredibly high. The conflict in the region is truly going according to Netanyahu, who views Iran as the primary threat, and Iran, in turn, sees Israel as a key obstacle to its regional ambitions. Understanding these intertwined motivations is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend the volatile dynamics of the Middle East. We invite you to share your thoughts on this complex issue in the comments below. What do you believe is the most significant factor driving Iran's stance against Israel? Do you think a resolution is possible? Your insights contribute to a richer understanding of this critical geopolitical challenge. If you found this article informative, please consider sharing it with others who might be interested in learning more about this enduring conflict.
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