Israel vs Iran war: Origin, main causes, other things to know

The crisis between Israel and Iran remains one of the most complex and enduring flashpoints in Middle Eastern geopolitics. Rooted in ideological, strategic, and regional rivalries, this conflict has spanned decades and continues to shape alliances, fuel proxy wars, and influence global security discourse.

Understanding the origin and causes of the Israel-Iran crisis is key to grasping the broader tensions in the Middle East.

Origin of the Israel-Iran Tension

The relationship between Israel and Iran was not always adversarial. In fact, during the era of the Shah of Iran (before the 1979 Islamic Revolution), Iran and Israel enjoyed relatively cordial ties, with cooperation in areas such as trade, oil, and military affairs. However, everything changed after the revolution.

In 1979, the Islamic Republic of Iran was established following the overthrow of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi. The new regime, under the leadership of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, adopted a staunchly anti-Israel stance, referring to Israel as the “Zionist regime” and rejecting its right to exist. Iran’s ideological foundation positioned Israel as a colonial and oppressive entity in the heart of the Muslim world. This marked the beginning of a prolonged era of hostility.

Iran’s Support for Anti-Israel Militant Groups

A major driver of the crisis is Iran’s long-standing support for armed groups that oppose Israel. Chief among them are:

• Hezbollah in Lebanon: Armed, funded, and trained by Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), Hezbollah has fought multiple conflicts with Israel, most notably the 2006 Lebanon War.
• Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza: While not Shiite groups like Hezbollah, these Palestinian militant organisations have received political, financial, and sometimes military support from Iran.

Israel views Iran’s backing of these groups as a direct threat to its national security, accusing Tehran of surrounding it with hostile forces capable of launching rocket attacks and cross-border operations.

Iran’s Nuclear Ambitions

The development of Iran’s nuclear programme has significantly escalated tensions. While Iran insists its programme is for peaceful, civilian purposes, Israel and many Western nations believe Tehran seeks to build nuclear weapons.

Israel regards a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat. Over the years, it has carried out covert operations aimed at sabotaging Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, including cyberattacks (e.g., the Stuxnet virus), targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, and intelligence leaks.

These moves have deepened the mistrust between the two countries and led to tit-for-tat operations, heightening the risk of direct military confrontation.

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Regional Power Struggle and Proxy Wars

At the heart of the Israel-Iran crisis is a broader regional power struggle. Iran sees itself as the leader of a “resistance axis” against Western and Israeli influence in the Middle East. Israel, on the other hand, positions itself as a democratic outpost under constant threat from Iranian-backed forces.

This rivalry plays out through proxy conflicts in Syria, Iraq, Yemen, and beyond. In Syria, for instance, Iran’s military support for the Assad regime and deployment of forces near Israel’s borders has drawn frequent Israeli airstrikes aimed at preventing Iranian entrenchment.

Abraham Accords and Shifting Alliances

The 2020 Abraham Accords, which saw several Arab nations normalise relations with Israel, further antagonised Iran. Tehran views these moves as a betrayal by fellow Muslim countries and an attempt to isolate Iran diplomatically.

Israel’s growing ties with Gulf states like the UAE, Bahrain, and potentially Saudi Arabia, have added a new dimension to the conflict, turning the Israel-Iran crisis into a wider regional rivalry.

Recent Escalations and Tensions

In recent years, tensions have escalated dramatically. Iran has accused Israel of conducting drone strikes on its military facilities and assassinating key scientists. In turn, Iran has increased its support for Palestinian militants and stepped up attacks on Israeli-linked interests abroad.

The war between Hamas and Israel in Gaza, as well as recent confrontations in the Red Sea and Syria, show how the conflict can quickly spill beyond the borders of both nations, dragging the wider region—and potentially global powers—into the fray.

A Crisis with Global Implications

The Israel-Iran crisis is not a conventional border dispute or a one-off ideological clash—it is a deep-rooted conflict with religious, political, and strategic dimensions. With both nations deeply entrenched in their positions, and regional and international players involved, the crisis remains a significant threat to stability in the Middle East.

As nuclear talks stall and proxy clashes intensify, observers fear the possibility of a direct Israel-Iran war—one that could draw in the United States, Gulf states, and even European powers. The international community continues to call for diplomacy, but with both sides unwilling to compromise, the path to lasting peace remains uncertain.