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The Israel-Iran conflict is a longstanding proxy war between the two countries, with roots dating back to the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. Prior to this, Iran and Israel had relatively good relations, driven by their shared concerns about Arab powers in the region. However, after the revolution, Iran's new government, led by Ayatollah Khomeini, adopted a sharply anti-Israel stance, viewing Israel as a colonial outpost and an enemy of Islam.
*Key Factors Fueling the Conflict:*
- *Iran's Support for Palestinian Groups*: Iran backs various Palestinian organizations, including Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which Israel considers terrorist groups. This support is driven by Iran's desire to champion the Palestinian cause and gain acceptance among Sunnis and Arabs in the Middle East.
- *Israel's Concerns about Iran's Nuclear Program*: Israel views Iran's nuclear ambitions as an existential threat and has taken steps to sabotage Iran's nuclear facilities, including a suspected cyberattack using the Stuxnet worm.
- *Proxy Wars and Covert Operations*: Both countries have engaged in proxy wars and covert operations, with Iran supporting Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza, while Israel has conducted airstrikes against Iranian targets in Syria and Lebanon.
*Notable Incidents:*
- *2006 Lebanon War*: Iran's Revolutionary Guards allegedly assisted Hezbollah fighters in their attacks on Israel.
- *2012 Terror Plot*: Iranian agents were suspected of planning attacks on Israeli targets in India, Georgia, and Thailand.
- *2018 Israeli Airstrikes*: Israel launched airstrikes against Iranian forces in Syria, escalating tensions between the two countries.
*Current Situation:*
The conflict continues to simmer, with both sides engaging in covert operations and proxy wars. Israel views Iran as an existential threat, while Iran sees Israel as a colonial power occupying Palestinian land. The situation remains volatile, with the potential for further escalation ¹.