Iran Israel Conflict

History of Iran and Israel  relations

• Iran was one of the first countries in the region to recognise Israel after its formation in 1948.
• First Arab Israeli war- In 1948, the opposition of Arab states to Israel led to the first Arab-Israeli war. Iran was not a part of that conflict, and after Israel won, it established ties with the Jewish state. It made Iran the second Muslim-majority country after Turkey to take such a step.
• Israel’s diplomacy- It was part of Israel’s “periphery doctrine”, a strategy that aims to build alliances with non-Arab countries in the Middle East.
• Pahlavi dynasty- Under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran maintained close ties with the US and Israel, even selling oil to Israel during Arab economic boycott.
• Islamic Revolution, 1979- The overthrow of the Shah led to the establishment of a religious state in Iran, altering its stance on Israel to view it as an occupier of Palestinian territories.
• Iran’s regional ambitions- Post revolution, Iran aimed to expand its influence, challenging regional powers like Saudi Arabia and Israel, both US allies.
• Iran Iraq accord, 1975- Iran ceased support for Kurdish-Iraqi separatists, reduced hostilities and affected Israel’s strategic value to Iran.
• Nuclear facility attack- Israel periodically targeted Iran’s nuclear facilities to hinder Iran’s potential development of nuclear weapons.
• Stuxnet cyberattack, 2010 US and Israel reportedly created Stuxnet, a computer virus that disrupt Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility, marking a significant moment in cyber warfare.
• Iran’s proxy support- Iran's support for militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, which oppose Israel and the US further escalate tensions between two countries.

Israel

Iran

• India recognised Israel in 1950 and full diplomatic relations were established after the opening of embassies in 1992.
• India has benefited from Israeli expertise and technologies in agriculture such as horticulture mechanization, protected cultivation etc.,
• The relationship with Israel is particularly strong in defence and security, with Israel being a major arms supplier to India.
• India-Israel cooperation in S&T is overseen by the Joint Committe on S&T, established under the S&T Cooperation Agreement signed in 1993.
• There are approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian-origin in Israel (with at least one Indian parent), who are all Israeli passport holders.

• India and Iran established diplomatic links in 1950.
• Iran has been a significant supplier of crude oil to India, although this has been affected by international sanctions.
• In 2018, India and Iran signed an Agreement for the Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Prevention of Fiscal Evasion with respect to taxes on income.
• Both India and Iran share concerns over terrorism, particularly from Pakistan and Afghanistan and the situation with Taliban.
• India over the years has emerged as one of the favourite tourist destinations for Iranian tourists and every year around 40,000 Iranians visit India for various purposes.
• Chabahar port project in Iran is backed by India, it is crucial for India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, bypassing Pakistan.

Regional groups supported by Iran

• Hamas- It originated during the first Intifada in 1987 to establish a Palestinian state, it has governed the Gaza Strip since 2007.
• Palestine Islamic Jihad, 1979- It is the second-largest militant group in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, it receives financial assistance and training from Iran.
• Hezbollah- It means “Party of God” set up by Iran’s Revolutionary Guards in 1982 to fight Israeli forces that had invaded Lebanon that year.
• Houthis- They have been engaged in Yemen’s civil war for over a decade, they attacked ships in the Red Sea during Israel Hamas conflict disrupting a major shipping route between Europe and Asia it is supported by Iran.
• Popular mobilisation Forces- It is Iraq’s state sanctioned coalition of paramilitary groups they maintain close ties with Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.