Announcement of the Article Series
The conflict between Iran and Israel is one of the most complex and influential rivalries in the Middle East, with implications for regional stability and global geopolitics. This struggle, which evolved from cooperation to an intense shadow war, requires systematic and factual analysis to understand the underlying dynamics. In this three-part series, I offer an in-depth exploration of the conflict. The analysis is based on open-source intelligence (OSINT), government reports such as those from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Netherlands Military Intelligence and Security Service (MIVD), and historical sources.
To structure the conflict, I divide history into three eras:
- Article 1: Early Phase (1948-1979) - This article examines the period of cooperation between Iran and Israel under the Pahlavi dynasty, in which shared geopolitical interests and Western alliances dominated.
- Article 2: Escalation Period (1979-2002) - The second article analyzes the rupture after the Iranian Revolution, the rise of ideological hostility and the start of proxy wars.
- Article 3: Modern Shadow War (2002-2025) - The third article covers the current phase, focusing on Iran's nuclear program, asymmetric confrontations and the role of major powers.
By analyzing these eras by origin, conflict points, intelligence, proxy groups, major powers and military capabilities, this series offers a comprehensive picture of the conflict.
Article 1: The Early Phase (1948-1979): Cooperation and Geopolitical Rivalry
Introduction
The relationship between Iran and Israel in the period from 1948 to 1979 was one of pragmatic cooperation, driven by shared geopolitical interests and a common Western orientation. In regentsling to current hostility, this early phase was characterized by a mutually beneficial relationship, with the United States as a central ally. This article examines the origins and context of this period, the minimal points of conflict, the role of intelligence, proxy groups, major powers and military capabilities, and lays the groundwork for understanding the later escalation.
Origin and Context
After the establishment of the state of Israel in 1948, Iran, under the Pahlavi dynasty, maintained friendly ties with the Jewish state. In 1950, Iran recognized Israel as one of the first Muslim countries. Both Iran and Israel shared an interest in limiting Arab nationalism, as promoted by Egyptian President Gamal Abdel Nasser. Further, both countries sought to limit Soviet influence in the Middle East. Iran, a secular monarchy under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, saw Israel as a valuable partner in a region where Arab states such as Iraq and Syria were hostile. Israel, in turn, benefited from Iran's diplomatic recognition and access to Iranian oil, which was crucial after Arab boycotts following the 1948 and 1967 wars. The geopolitical dynamics were further strengthened by the Cold War. Both Iran and Israel were allies of the United States, which saw them as bulwarks against Soviet-backed regimes in Egypt, Syria and Iraq. This shared Western orientation created a basis for cooperation, although the relationship never became a formal alliance. Ideologically, there were no significant differences: Iran's secular regime had no anti-Zionist agenda, and Israel focused its attention on Arab enemies such as the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO).
Conflict points
During this period, there were no direct conflicts between Iran and Israel. Regional tensions centered on the Arab-Israeli wars (1948, 1967, 1973), in which Iran held a neutral position. Iran's main regional rival was Iraq, which was also hostile to Israel. This created an indirect synergy, with both countries benefiting from weakening Iraq. In this context, both Iran and Israel offered support to Kurdish rebels in Iraq in the 1960s and 1970s, putting pressure on the Iraqi government. The absence of direct conflict points was reinforced by Iran's focus on domestic modernization and regional stability under the shah. Israel's priorities were on surviving Arab attacks and building a strong defense, not confronting Iran.
Role of Intelligence Agencies
Intelligence played a supporting role in Iran-Israel cooperation.
Israel (Mossad):
Mossad, established in 1949, focused primarily on Arab enemies such as Egypt and Syria. However, cooperation with Iran's secret service, SAVAK, was common, especially in gathering intelligence on Soviet activities in the region. Mossad provided technical expertise to SAVAK, while Iran shared intelligence on Arab regimes.
Iran (SAVAK):
SAVAK, established in 1957 with help from the CIA and Mossad, focused primarily on domestic suppression of communist and religious opposition. In the regional context, SAVAK shared intelligence with Israel and the U.S. on Soviet-backed groups and Arab nationalist movements.
This cooperation was discreet but effective, particularly in monitoring regional threats such as the Ba'ath Party in Iraq and Syria.
Proxy Groups
Proxy wars were minimal in this era. Israel's conflicts focused on Palestinian militias such as the PLO and Arab armies. A notable exception was shared support for Kurdish rebels in Iraq, who were fighting the Iraqi government. However, this cooperation was not a direct proxy war against a common enemy, but rather an opportunistic move to weaken Iraq.
Role of Superpowers
Great powers played a crucial role in shaping the Iran-Israel relationship:
United States:
The US was the main ally of both Iran and Israel, providing military and economic support to both countries as part of its Cold War strategy. Iran received advanced weapons such as F-4 Phantom jets, while Israel benefited from U.S. funding and technology.
Soviet Union:
The Soviet Union supported Arab states such as Egypt and Syria, which were hostile to Israel. This strengthened indirect cooperation between Iran and Israel, both of which were anti-Soviet.
China:
China played a marginal role, with limited diplomatic and economic ties to the region. It had no direct influence on the Iran-Israel dynamic.
Military Capacities
Under the shah, Iran built a modern military supported by U.S. weapons such as tanks, F-4 jets and artillery. It had a strong conventional military for regional standards, focusing on regional deterrence against Iraq and internal stability.
Israel developed a compact but powerful armed force, with French and later American weapons such as Mirage jets and M60 tanks. The air force became a cornerstone of Israel's defense, proven in the Six-Day War (1967). Its alleged nuclear program, started with the Dimona reactor in the 1960s, gave Israel a strategic deterrent, although it was never officially confirmed.
Summary
The early phase (1948-1979) was characterized by pragmatic cooperation between Iran and Israel, driven by shared geopolitical interests and their role as Western allies in the Cold War. The absence of ideological hostility and direct conflict made for a relatively stable relationship, enhanced by intelligence sharing and indirect cooperation against common rivals such as Iraq. Both countries' military capabilities were focused on regional threats, not each other. However, this harmony would end abruptly with the 1979 Iranian Revolution, which set the stage for a new phase of hostility.
Article 2: Escalation Period (1979-2002) traces the impact of the Iranian Revolution, which transformed the relationship from cooperation to hostility. This includes examining the rise of ideological divisions, the start of proxy wars with groups such as Hezbollah, and Iran's nascent nuclear ambitions, as well as the role of major powers such as the U.S., Russia and China. Article 3: Modern Shadow War (2002-2025) will cover the current phase, with a focus on Iran's nuclear program, the intensification of proxy conflicts, and the military and intelligence advantages of both countries in an era of cyberwarfare and direct attacks.
