#IsraelIranConflict

The Israel-Iran conflict is a long-standing and complex geopolitical rivalry that primarily revolves around military, ideological, and regional dominance in the Middle East. While they have never engaged in a direct full-scale war, both countries are involved in proxy wars, covert operations, and cyber warfare, and tensions often escalate dangerously.

Here’s an overview of the key aspects of the conflict:

---

🧭 Background

Israel was established in 1948. Iran (then under the Shah) recognized Israel de facto and had diplomatic ties.

After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran cut ties with Israel and began supporting anti-Israel groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Islamic Jihad.

Iran calls for the elimination of the Israeli state, while Israel sees Iran as an existential threat due to its rhetoric and military ambitions.

🔥 Main Issues

1. Iran’s Nuclear Program

Iran insists its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes.

Israel fears Iran is developing nuclear weapons and has conducted sabotage (like the Natanz facility attack) and targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.

This is one of the central tensions in their conflict.

2. Proxy Wars

Syria: Iran supports Bashar al-Assad; Israel has carried out hundreds of airstrikes against Iranian and Hezbollah targets in Syria.

Lebanon: Iran backs Hezbollah, a powerful militia that frequently clashes with Israel.

Gaza: Iran funds and supplies Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who often launch rockets into Israel.

3. Cyber and Covert War

Both countries have been engaged in cyber warfare, e.g., the Stuxnet virus (allegedly a U.S.-Israeli operation targeting Iran's nuclear program).

Assassinations of Iranian scientists and Israeli officials are part of the shadow war.

⚔️ Recent Escalations (As of 2024-2025)

April 2024: Iran launched a direct missile and drone attack on Israel for the first time, in retaliation for an Israeli airstrike on its consulate in Damascus.

Israel responded with targeted airstrikes on Iranian military facilities inside Iran—a major escalation.