View source for Iran–Israel relations

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{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Infobox bilateral relations
| party1 = Iran
| party2 = Israel
| map    = Iran and Israel (without West Bank and Gaza).png
}}
[[Iran]] and [[Israel]] have had no diplomatic relations since 1979, and modern relations are hostile. The relationship was cordial for most of the [[Cold War]], but worsened following the [[Iranian Revolution]] and has been openly hostile since the end of the [[Gulf War]] in 1991. [[Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran|Iran's current government]] does not recognize [[Legitimacy of the State of Israel|Israel's legitimacy as a state]] and has called for its destruction; it views [[Palestine]] as the sole legitimate government of the [[Palestine (region)|historic Palestinian territories]]. Israel considers Iran a threat to the [[Middle East]]'s stability and has targeted Iranian assets in assassinations and airstrikes. In 2025, the hostility escalated to [[Iran–Israel War|an armed conflict]].

In 1947, Iran was among 13 countries that voted against the [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine|United Nations Partition Plan]] for the [[Mandatory Palestine|British Mandate of Palestine]]. Two years later, Iran also voted against Israel's admission to the [[United Nations]]. However, Iran was the second [[Muslims|Muslim]]-majority country to [[International recognition of Israel|recognize Israel as a sovereign state]] after [[Turkey]].<ref name="Ali21">{{cite web | url=https://donya-e-eqtesad.com/ | title=Breaking off the relation with Israel by Mosaddegh decree | publisher=donya-e-eqtesad.com | access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> After the [[1953 Iranian coup d'état|1953 coup d'état]], which reinstalled the pro-[[Western world|Western]] leader [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] as the [[shah of Iran]],<ref>{{cite web | url=https://rasekhoon.net/article/show/120466/ | title=Coup 28Mordad, MuhammadRezaShah Pahlawi to Iran | publisher=rasekhoon.net | access-date=27 May 2019}}</ref> relations between the two countries significantly improved.<ref name="Ali21" /> After the Iranian revolution—in which Pahlavi was ousted and Iran's secular monarchy was replaced by an anti-Western [[Islamic republic]]—Iran severed diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel, although [[Israeli support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq war|relations continued covertly]] during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] (1980–1988).

Since 1985, Iran and Israel have been engaged in [[Iran–Israel proxy conflict|a proxy conflict]] that has greatly affected the geopolitics of the Middle East. The turn from [[cold peace]] to open hostility began in the early 1990s, shortly after the [[Dissolution of the Soviet Union|collapse of the Soviet Union]] and the defeat of [[Ba'athist Iraq|Iraq]] in the Gulf War. Israeli prime minister [[Yitzhak Rabin]]'s government adopted a more aggressive posture on Iran,<ref name="iranicaIsrael1">{{cite encyclopedia |last1=Menashri |first1=David |last2=Parsi |first2=Trita |author-link=David Menashri|author-link2=Trita Parsi|title=Israel i. Relations With Iran|encyclopedia=[[Encyclopædia Iranica]]|location=New York|url=http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/israel-i-relations-with-iran|date=15 December 2007|access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> and Iranian president [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] made [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel|inflammatory statements against Israel]]. Other factors contributing to the escalation of tensions include the [[Iranian nuclear program]], Iran's funding of [[Islamism|Islamist]] groups such as [[Hezbollah]], [[Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine|Palestinian Islamic Jihad]], [[Hamas]], and the [[Houthis]], and Iran's involvement in attacks such as the [[1992 Buenos Aires Israeli embassy bombing]] and the [[AMIA bombing|1994 AMIA bombing]],<ref>{{cite web|last=Borger|first=Julian|title=New book claims Mossad assassination unit killed Iranian nuclear scientists|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/julian-borger-global-security-blog/2012/jul/11/israel-iran-nuclear-assassinations|work=The Guardian|date=11 July 2012|access-date=26 October 2013}}</ref> as well as Israeli [[Views on military action against Iran|threats of military action]].

Iranian and Israeli organizations have been involved in direct military confrontations, such as in the [[2006 Lebanon War]]. Iran and Israel have provided support for opposing factions in the [[Syrian civil war|Syrian]] and [[Yemeni civil war (2014–present)|Yemeni civil wars]] and conducted [[cyberattack]]s and sabotage against each other's infrastructure, including attacks on nuclear facilities and oil tankers. Iran's [[Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict|proxy conflict with Saudi Arabia]] has led to an informal [[Arab–Israeli alliance|alliance between Israel and Arab states]]. In 2024, amid [[Middle Eastern crisis (2023–present)|increasing regional tensions]] stemming from the [[Gaza war]], Iran–Israel tensions escalated to [[2024 Iran–Israel conflict|a period of direct conflict]]; both carried out missile strikes on the other and Israel assassinated targets in Iran and Syria. In 2025, Israel carried out strikes against Iranian nuclear and military targets, sparking [[Iran–Israel war|a war between the countries]].<ref name=isrstr>{{Cite news |date=13 June 2025 |title=Israel strikes Iran nuclear facilities, missile factories |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-says-it-strikes-iran-amid-nuclear-tensions-2025-06-13/ |access-date=13 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

==Timeline==

===Pre-modern background===
{{see also|Yehud Medinata|Jewish revolt against Heraclius|History of the Jews in Iran}}
[[File:Cyrus II le Grand et les Hébreux.jpg|thumb|upright|[[Cyrus the Great]] releases [[Jews]] from the [[Babylonian captivity]] to resettle and rebuild [[Jerusalem]]. [[Jean Fouquet]], 1470.]]
The beginnings of [[History of the Jews in Iran|Jewish history in Iran]] dates from late [[Biblical]] times. The biblical books of [[Book of Isaiah|Isaiah]], [[Book of Daniel|Daniel]], [[Book of Ezra|Ezra]], [[Book of Nehemiah|Nehemiah]], [[Book of Chronicles|Chronicles]], and [[Book of Esther|Esther]] contain references to the life and experiences of Jews in [[Achaemenid Empire|Persia]]. In the book of Ezra, the Persian king [[Cyrus the Great]] is credited with permitting and enabling the Jews to return to [[Jerusalem]] and rebuild their Temple; its reconstruction was carried out "according to the decree of [[Cyrus the Great|Cyrus]], and [[Darius the Great|Darius]], and [[Artaxerxes I of Persia|Artaxerxes]] king of Persia" (Ezra 6:14). This is said to have taken place in the late sixth century BC, by which time there was a well-established and influential Jewish community in [[Persia]]. Persian Jews have lived in the territories of today's [[Iran]] for over 2,700 years, since the first [[Jewish diaspora]] when [[Shalmaneser V]] conquered the [[Kingdom of Israel (Samaria)|(Northern) Kingdom of Israel]] (722 BC) and sent the [[Israelites]] into captivity at [[greater Khorasan|Khorasan]]. In 586 BC, the [[Babylonia]]ns expelled large populations of Jews from [[Judea]] to the [[Babylonian captivity]]. Jews who migrated to ancient Persia mostly lived in their own communities.

The [[Books of the Bible|Jewish Bible's]] [[Ketuvim]] ends in [[Second Chronicles]] with the decree of Cyrus, which returned the exiles to the [[Land of Israel|Promised Land]] from Babylon along with a commission to rebuild the temple.

<blockquote>'Thus saith Cyrus, king of Persia: All the kingdoms of the earth hath [[Yahweh]], the God of heaven, given me; and He hath charged me to build Him a house in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whosoever there is among you of all His people—may Yahweh, his God, be with him—let him go there.' (2 Chronicles 36:23)</blockquote>

This edict is also fully reproduced in the [[Book of Ezra]].

<blockquote>"In the first year of King Cyrus, Cyrus the king issued a decree: 'Concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, let the temple, the place where sacrifices are offered, be rebuilt and let its foundations be retained, its height being 60 cubits and its width 60 cubits; with three layers of huge stones and one layer of timbers. And let the cost be paid from the royal treasury. Also let the gold and silver utensils of the house of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took from the temple in Jerusalem and brought to Babylon, be returned and brought to their places in the temple in Jerusalem; and you shall put them in the house of God.' (Ezra 6:3–5)</blockquote>

As a result of Cyrus's policies, the Jews honored him as a dignified and righteous king. There is no evidence that the declaration reflected a unique attitude toward Jews. Rather, it may have been part of his renowned tolerance toward the cultures and religions of the people under his rule. The historical nature of this decree has been challenged. Professor Lester L Grabbe argues that there was no decree but that there was a policy that allowed exiles to return to their homelands and rebuild their temples. He also argues that the archaeology suggests that the return was a "trickle", taking place over perhaps decades, resulting in a maximum population of perhaps 30,000.<ref>{{cite book|last=Grabbe|first=Lester L.|title=A History of the Jews and Judaism in the Second Temple Period: Yehud: A History of the Persian Province of Judah v. 1|year=2004|publisher=T & T Clark|isbn=978-0-567-08998-4|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=-MnE5T_0RbMC&q=gave+the+Jews+permission+to+return+to+Yehud+province+and+to+rebuild+the+Temple&pg=PA355|page=355}}</ref> [[Philip R. Davies]] called the authenticity of the decree "dubious", citing Grabbe and adding that J. Briend argued against "the authenticity of Ezra 1.1–4 is J. Briend, in a paper given at the Institut Catholique de Paris on 15 December 1993, who denies that it resembles the form of an official document but reflects rather biblical prophetic idiom".<ref>{{cite book|title=Words Remembered, Texts Renewed: Essays in Honour of John F.A. Sawyer|year=1995|publisher=Continuum International Publishing Group|isbn=978-1-85075-542-5|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WQttyS7HRrIC&q=authenticity+decree+cyrus&pg=PA219|author=Philip R. Davies|editor=John D Davies|page=219}}</ref>
Mary Joan Winn Leith believes that the decree in Ezra might be authentic and along with the Cylinder that Cyrus, like earlier rules, was through these decrees trying to gain support from those who might be strategically important, particularly those close to Egypt which he wished to conquer. He also wrote that "appeals to Marduk in the cylinder and to Yahweh in the biblical decree demonstrate the Persian tendency to co-opt local religious and political traditions in the interest of imperial control".<ref name="MaryJ1">{{cite book
 | last = Winn Leith
 | first = Mary Joan
 | editor = Michael David Coogan
 | title = The Oxford History of the Biblical World
 | url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zFhvECwNQD0C&q=The+Oxford+History+of+the+Biblical+World
 | format = [[Google Books]]
 | access-date =14 December 2012
| orig-year = 1998
 | year = 2001
 | publisher = [[Oxford University Press]]
 | location = [[Oxford]]; [[New York City|New York]]
 | isbn = 0-19-513937-2
 | oclc = 44650958
 | page = 285
 | chapter = Israel among the Nations: The Persian Period
 | chapter-url = https://books.google.com/books?id=zFhvECwNQD0C&q=The+Oxford+History+of+the+Biblical+World
 | lccn = 98016042
}}</ref>

According to the Bible, Cyrus ordered rebuilding the [[Second Temple]] in the same place as the first; he died before it was completed. [[Darius the Great]] came to power in the Persian empire and ordered the completion of the temple. According to the Bible, the prophets [[Haggai]] and [[Zechariah (Hebrew prophet)|Zechariah]] urged this work. The temple was ready for consecration in the spring of 515 BCE, more than twenty years after the Jews' return to Jerusalem.

According to the [[Book of Esther]], during the reign of Persian King [[Ahasuerus]], generally identified as [[Xerxes the Great]] (son of Darius the Great) in 6th century BCE,<ref>{{cite book|last=Johnson|first=Sara Raup|title=Historical Fictions and Hellenistic Jewish Identity: Third Maccabees in Its Cultural Context|year=2005|publisher=University of California Press|isbn=978-0-520-23307-2|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=mfiJ6foYhMAC&q=ahasuerus+xerxes&pg=PA17|pages=16–17}}</ref> the vizier [[Haman (Bible)|Haman]] instigated a plot to kill all the Jews of ancient Persia. The plot was thwarted by Queen [[Esther]] who ordered the hanging of Haman and his ten sons. This event is celebrated as the holiday of [[Purim]].

===Israeli independence to Iranian revolution (1947–1979)===
In 1947, Iran was one of the 11 members that formed the [[United Nations Special Committee on Palestine|Special Committee on Palestine]] (UNSCOP) charged to investigate the cause of the conflict in [[Mandatory Palestine|Palestine Mandate]], and, if possible, devise a solution. After much deliberation the committee presented a [[United Nations Partition Plan for Palestine|Partition Plan for Palestine]], which had the support of 8 of the 11 members of UNSCOP. Iran along with India and Yugoslavia opposed the plan, predicting it would lead to an escalation of violence. Arguing that peace could only be established through a single federal state, Iran voted against the partition plan when it was adopted by the UN General Assembly. Shah [[Mohammad Reza Pahlavi]] predicted that the partition would lead to generations of fighting.

In Spring of 1948, 30,000 Iranians in Tehran gathered to protest against the establishment of Israel.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=20}}

[[File:Saffinia Israel.jpg|thumb|upright|Iranian [[Minister (diplomacy)|minister]] Reza Saffinia arriving at the [[Weizmann House|house of Israeli president]] [[Chaim Weizmann]] in [[Rehovot]] on [[Yom Ha'atzmaut]], 1950.|left]]
After the [[Israeli Declaration of Independence|establishment of the State of Israel]] in May 1948, Israel and Iran maintained close ties. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel<ref name=iranrecog>{{cite web|title=Shah Censors Israel Relations|url=http://www.fouman.com/Y/Get_Iranian_History_Today.php?artid=1132|access-date=4 September 2011|archive-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180621201247/http://www.fouman.com/Y/Get_Iranian_History_Today.php?artid=1132|url-status=dead}}</ref> as a sovereign state after [[Turkey]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.scribd.com/doc/326135/Timeline-of-TurkishIsraeli-Relations-19492006 |title=Timeline of Turkish-Israeli Relations, 1949–2006 |last1=Dahl |first1=Brock |last2=Slutzky |first2=Danielle |year=2006 |work=Turkish Research Program |publisher=Washington Institute for Near East Policy |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-date=3 April 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200403105910/https://www.scribd.com/doc/326135/Timeline-of-TurkishIsraeli-Relations-19492006 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.smi.uib.no/pao/hawas.html |title=Turkey and Israel |publisher=Smi.uib.no |access-date=5 June 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110222112048/http://www.smi.uib.no/pao/hawas.html |archive-date=22 February 2011 }}</ref> Israel viewed Iran as a natural ally as a non-Arab power on the edge of the [[Arab world]], in accordance with David Ben Gurion's concept of an [[alliance of the periphery]]. Israel had a permanent delegation in Tehran which served as a [[De facto embassy|''de facto'' embassy]], before Ambassadors were exchanged in the late 1970s.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/tehranbureau/2010/10/iran-primer-iran-and-israel.html|title=Iran Primer: Iran and Israel|work=FRONTLINE – Tehran Bureau|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref><ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/?p=728128 "Did Israel, under the shah, help start Iran's nuclear program?"], ''[[The Times of Israel]]'', 1 November 2013</ref> 

After the [[Six-Day War]], Iran supplied Israel with a significant portion of its oil needs and Iranian oil was shipped to European markets via the joint Israeli-Iranian [[Trans-Israel pipeline|Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline]].<ref>{{cite book |first=Daniel |last=Ammann |author-link=Daniel Ammann |title=The King of Oil: The Secret Lives of Marc Rich |publisher=[[St. Martin‘s Press]] |location=New York |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-312-57074-3}}</ref><ref>Bialer, Uri. "Fuel Bridge across the Middle East—Israel, Iran, and the Eilat-Ashkelon Oil Pipeline" in ''Israel Studies'', Vol 12, No 3 (Fall 2007)</ref> Trade between the countries was brisk,<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran and the Israeli 'citrus fruit conspiracy' |first1=Amiram |last1=Cohen |first2=Eli |last2=Ashkenazi |url=http://www.haaretz.com/print-edition/news/iran-and-the-israeli-citrus-fruit-conspiracy-1.274869 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=27 April 2009 |access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> with Israeli construction firms and engineers active in Iran. [[El Al]], the Israeli national airline, operated direct flights between [[Tel Aviv]] and [[Tehran]].<ref>{{cite journal|title=World airline directory – El Al Israel Airlines |journal=[[Flight International]] |date=28 April 1979 |page=1370 |url=http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%201432.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110820130531/http://www.flightglobal.com/pdfarchive/view/1979/1979%20-%201432.html |archive-date= 20 August 2011 |access-date=5 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Iranian-Israeli military links and projects were kept secret, but they are believed to have been wide-ranging,<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3284215,00.html |title=The Islamic Republic of Iran |date=23 December 2007 |newspaper=Ynetnews |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> for example the joint military project [[Project Flower]] (1977–79), an Iranian-Israeli attempt to develop a new missile.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/iran/delivery-systems/ |title=Iran |date=November 2011 |publisher=Nuclear Threat Initiative |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728092202/http://www.nti.org/country-profiles/iran/delivery-systems/ |archive-date=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>For details on Iran's strategic reasoning during the 1970s, see "Israel and the Origins of Iran's Arab Option: Dissection of a Strategy Misunderstood," ''Middle East Journal'', Volume 60, Number 3, Summer 2006.</ref>

====Debts====
As at 1979, Israel owed about a billion dollars to Iran for business conducted before the Iranian revolution. Some of the debt arose from oil purchased by Israel, and a larger amount from the operation of the [[Trans-Israel pipeline|Trans-Israel oil pipeline]] and associated port facilities, which were a joint venture between Israeli companies and the [[National Iranian Oil Company]]. Israel decided against paying the debt at a meeting in 1979 and granted legal indemnity to Israeli companies which owed it. At least one Israeli bank account is known to hold $250 million owed to Iran.

Since the 1980s, Iran has been suing in the European courts for payment of the debts and has won several cases. Payment of the debts is legally complicated by the international sanctions against Iran and by the fact that Israel classifies Iran as an enemy state.<ref name=Benn>{{cite news |newspaper=Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/.premium-1.643394 |title=Israel holding over $250m it owes Iran for oil in secret account |date=2015 |author=Aluf Benn}}</ref> In May 2015, a Swiss court ordered the [[Eilat Ashkelon Pipeline Company]] to pay $1.1 billion to Iran, which Israel refuses to do.<ref name=Benn2>{{cite news |newspaper=Haaretz |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/1.657394 |title=Report: Swiss court orders Israel to pay Iran $1.1 billion in oil pipeline dispute |date=2015 |author=Aluf Benn}}</ref>

=== Islamist advocacy for Palestinians (1947–1979) ===
Iranian Islamists have a long history of sympathizing with the Palestinians. In 1949, Iranian ayatollah [[Mahmoud Taleghani]] visited the [[West Bank]] and was moved by the plight of [[Palestinian refugees]].{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=24}} Taleqani then began advocating for Palestinians inside Iran in the 1950s and 1960s. [[Mahmoud Taleghani|Ayotallah Taleghani]] also criticized the Iranian government's diplomatic relations with Israel{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=24}} and lamented that the Iranian government restricted pro-Palestinian meetings. Ayotallah [[Abol-Ghasem Kashani]] also criticized his government's decision to recognize Israel. Kashani, who had supported anti-colonial movements in Egypt and Tunisia, saw [[Zionism as settler colonialism|Israel as a colonial outpost]].{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=21}}

After the [[Six-Day War]] in 1967, he started raising funds (e.g. ''[[zakat]]'') inside Iran to be sent to Palestinians.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=24}} The Iranian government at the time was alarmed at these activities and [[SAVAK]] documents indicate that the government believed that the Iranian public was sympathetic to the Palestinian people.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=25}} Iranians often donated their ''[[zakat]]'' to Palestinians.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=25}} By 1970, the Iranian government tried to prevent such fundraising efforts.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=28}} SAVAK detained and surveilled [[Morteza Motahhari|Ayotallah Motahhari]] and pressured him to stop fundraising, but Motahhari refused.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=27-28}} Likewise [[Ruhollah Khomeini]] championed the Palestinian people before he became [[Supreme Leader of Iran|Iran's Supreme Leader]] in 1979. He also criticized the [[Pahlavi dynasty]]'s ties with Israel, viewing Israel as a supporter of the Pahlavi regime.<ref>{{cite news |date=3 September 2006 |title=Iran to examine Holocaust evidence |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/09/200849141128532972.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608133253/http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/09/200849141128532972.html |archive-date=8 June 2013 |access-date=27 July 2012 |publisher=Al Jazeera}}</ref> 

===Under Khomeini (1979–1989)===
Following the [[Iranian Revolution]] and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, Iran adopted a sharp anti-Israel stance. Iran cut off all official relations with Israel;<ref name=usip>{{cite web|last=Nikou|first=Semira N.|title=Timeline of Iran's Foreign Relations|url=http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/timeline-irans-foreign-relations|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120523204642/http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/timeline-irans-foreign-relations|url-status=dead|archive-date=23 May 2012|publisher=United States Institute of Peace|access-date=6 August 2013}}</ref> official statements, state institutes, and events. Iran ceased to accept Israeli passports, and the holders of Iranian passports were banned from travelling to "the occupied Palestine".<ref>{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1902080,00.html  |title=Roxana Saberi and How Journalism Works in Iran  |first=Azadeh  |last=Moaveni  |author-link=Azadeh Moaveni  |date=1 June 2009 |magazine=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]  |publisher=[[Time Inc.]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611193912/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1902080,00.html |archive-date=11 June 2009 |access-date=25 January 2010 |quote=Israel also figures into the peculiar regulations Iranian journalists must contend with. The fine print of my Iranian passport clearly states that the bearer of this passport is forbidden from traveling to occupied Palestine." |url-status=dead}}</ref> The [[Embassy of Israel, Tehran|Israeli Embassy in Tehran]] was closed and handed over to [[Palestine Liberation Organization|the PLO]].<ref name=bahram>{{cite journal |last=Alavi| first=Bahram| title=Khomeini's Iran: Israel's Ally|journal=Washington Report|date=April 1988 |series=Special reports|url=http://www.wrmea.org/wrmea-archives/324-washington-report-archives-1988-1993/april-1988/9811-khomeinis-iran-israels-ally.html|access-date=3 August 2013}}</ref> [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Ayatollah Khomeini]] declared Israel an "[[War on Islam controversy|enemy of Islam]]" and the "[[Little Satan]]".<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran to examine Holocaust evidence|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/09/200849141128532972.html|work=Al Jazeera|date=3 September 2006 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> The [[United States]] was called the "[[Great Satan]]" while the [[Soviet Union]] was called the "Lesser Satan".

According to [[Trita Parsi]], Iran's strategic imperatives compelled the Khomeini government to maintain clandestine ties to Israel, while hope that the [[Alliance of the periphery|periphery doctrine]] could be resurrected motivated the Jewish State's assistance to Iran.<ref>{{Cite book |title=Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States |language=en-GB|author=[[Trita Parsi]] |date=2007 |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=978-0300143119 }}</ref> At the same time, Iran provided support for Islamist-Shia Lebanese parties, helping to consolidate them into a single political and military organization, [[Hezbollah]], and providing them the ideological indoctrination, military training and equipment to attack Israeli and American targets.<ref>{{Cite news |date=4 July 2010 |title=Who are Hezbollah? |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>

=== Israeli logistical support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq War (1980–1988) ===
{{main|Israeli support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq war}}
Israel sold Iran US$75 million worth of arms from stocks of Israel Military Industries, Israel Aircraft Industries and Israel Defense Forces stockpiles, in their Operation Seashell in 1981.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=NkxZcHL1xdYC&q=Ronen+Bergman,+The+Secret+War+with+Iran&pg=PA45 Ronen Bergman, ''The Secret War with Iran''], Free Press, 2008, p.40-48</ref> Material included 150 [[M40 recoilless rifle|M-40 antitank guns]] with 24,000 shells for each gun, spare parts for tank and aircraft engines, 106&nbsp;mm, 130&nbsp;mm, 203&nbsp;mm and 175&nbsp;mm shells and [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW missiles]]. This material was transported first by air by Argentine airline [[Transporte Aéreo Rioplatense]] and then by ship.  The same year Israel provided [[Operation Opera|active military support against Iraq]] by destroying the ''Osirak'' [[nuclear reactor]] near [[Baghdad]], which the Iranians themselves had [[Operation Scorch Sword|previously targeted]], but the [[Begin Doctrine|doctrine established]] by the attack would increase potential conflict in future years.

Arms sales to Iran that totaled an estimated $500 million from 1981 to 1983 according to the Jafe Institute for Strategic Studies at Tel Aviv University. Most of it was paid for by Iranian oil delivered to Israel. "According to Ahmad Haidari, "an Iranian arms dealer working for the [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Khomeini]] government, roughly 80% of the weaponry bought by Tehran" immediately after the onset of the war originated in Israel.<ref name="Parsi">Parsi, Trita ''Treacherous Alliance: The secret dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States'', by Trita Parsi, Yale University Press, 2007</ref>

[[File:Suleiman Khater.jpg|thumb|An Iranian stamp issued in memory of [[Suleiman Khater]], who perpetrated the [[Ras Burqa massacre]] against Israeli tourists in 1985.]]
According to Mark Phythian, the fact "that the Iranian air force could function at all" after Iraq's initial attack and "was able to undertake a number of sorties over [[Baghdad]] and strike at strategic installations" was "at least partly due to the decision of the Reagan administration to allow Israel to channel arms of US origin to Iran to prevent an easy and early Iraqi victory".<ref>Phythian, Mark. ''Arming Iraq : How the U.S. and Britain Secretly Built Saddam's War Machine'', p.20</ref>

Despite all the speeches of Iranian leaders and the denunciation of Israel at [[Jumu'ah|Friday prayers]], there were never less than around one hundred Israeli advisers and technicians in Iran at any time throughout the war, living in a carefully guarded and secluded camp just north of Tehran, where they remained even after the ceasefire.<ref>Bulloch, John, ''The Gulf War : Its Origins, History and Consequences'' by John Bulloch and Harvey Morris, London : Methuen London, 1989, p.17</ref>

Israeli sales also included spare parts for U.S.-made [[McDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom II|F-4 Phantom]] jets.<ref name="Scott, Peter Dale 1987, p. 173-174">Scott, Peter Dale, ''The Iran-Contra Connection: Secret Teams and Covert Operations in Reagan Era'', 1987, p. 173-174</ref> [[Ariel Sharon]] believed it was important to "leave a small window open" to the possibility of good relations with Iran in the future.<ref>Parsi, Trita Treacherous Alliance: The secret dealings of Israel, Iran and the United States, by Trita Parsi, Yale University Press, 2007</ref>

===Increasing tensions (1989–present)===

====Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei====
In December 2000, Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] called Israel a "cancerous tumour" that should be removed from the region.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.danielpipes.org/113/arabs-still-want-to-destroy-israel |title=Arabs Still Want to Destroy Israel |last=Pipes |first=Daniel |work=Daniel Pipes |date=18 January 2002 |publisher=Wall Street Journal |access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Iran leader urges destruction of 'cancerous' Israel |url=http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/meast/12/15/mideast.iran.reut/ |newspaper=CNN |date=15 December 2000 |access-date=27 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070405205037/http://archives.cnn.com/2000/WORLD/meast/12/15/mideast.iran.reut/ |archive-date=5 April 2007 }}</ref> In 2005, he emphasized that "Palestine belongs to Palestinians, and the fate of Palestine should also be determined by the Palestinian people".<ref>{{cite web |title=Leader's Speech to Government Officials on the Eid-al-Fitr |publisher=khamenei.ir |url=http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=31 |date=4 November 2005 |access-date= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150918190936/http://english.khamenei.ir//index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=73&Itemid=31 |archive-date=18 September 2015 |url-status=dead }}</ref> In 2005 Khamenei clarified Iran's position after an international furor erupted over a remark attributed to [[President of Iran|President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad|Ahmadinejad]] according to which Israel should be "[[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel#2005 "World Without Zionism" speech|wiped off the map]]" by saying that "the Islamic Republic has never threatened and will never threaten any country".<ref>{{cite news |last=Edalat |first=Abbas |title=The US can learn from this example of mutual respect |work=The Guardian |date=5 April 2007 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2007/apr/05/comment.military |access-date=26 July 2012 |location=London}}</ref>

On 15 August 2012, during a meeting with veterans of the [[Iran–Iraq War]], Khamenei said that he was confident that "the superfluous and fake Zionist (regime) will disappear from the landscape".<ref name="Khamenei disappear">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4269167,00.html |title=Iran's Khamenei: Israel will eventually disappear |work=Yedioth Ahronot |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=15 August 2012 |author=Cohen, Dudi}}</ref> On 19 August, he reiterated comments made by President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, which members of the international community, including the United States, France, European Union foreign policy chief Catherine Ashton, and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned,<ref name="Ki moon condemned Ajad">{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4270418,00.html |title=Khamenei: 'Tumor' of Israel is world's biggest problem |work=Yedioth Ahronot |agency=AFP |date=19 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012}}</ref> during which he called Israel a "cancerous tumour in the heart of the Islamic world" and said that its existence is responsible for many problems facing the Muslim world.<ref name="Tepper Greg">{{cite web |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/khamenei-israeli-a-malignant-zionist-tumor/ |title=Israel a 'cancerous tumor' and Middle East's biggest problem, Iranian supreme leader says Khamenei reiterates statements made by Ahmadinejad on Friday, which the international community condemned |work=The Times of Israel |date=19 August 2012 |access-date=19 August 2012 |author=Tepper, Greg}}</ref>

On 9 September 2015, Khamenei said in his speech during the discussion about the [[Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action|JCPOA]]: "I'd say to Israel that they will not see the end of these 25 years". These words were expressed in response to the Zionist regime, which said that had no more concern about Iran for the next 25 years after the JCPOA agreement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Eliott C. |title=Iran's supreme leader: There will be no such thing as Israel in 25 years |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/10/middleeast/iran-khamenei-israel-will-not-exist-25-years/index.html |website=[[CNN]] |date=11 September 2015}}</ref>

====Khatami presidency (1997–2005)====
Under reformist Iranian President [[Mohammad Khatami]], elected in 1997, some believed Iran–Israel relations would improve. Khatami called Israel an "illegal state" and a "parasite",{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} but also said in 1999 Jews would be "safe in Iran" and all religious minorities would be protected.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/368234.stm|work=BBC News|title=Khatami: Jews are safe in Iran|date=14 June 1999|access-date=5 May 2010}}</ref> A report indicates that Iran tried in 2003 to initiate a rapprochement with Israel by recognizing its existence in a proposal to the United States. The report claims that Iran's peace proposal with Israel was not accepted by the United States.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran offered 'to make peace with Israel' |first=Gareth |last=Porter |url=http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HE26Ak01.html| url-status=unfit |newspaper=Asia Times Online |date=26 May 2006 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060527190342/http://atimes.com/atimes/Middle_East/HE26Ak01.html | archive-date=27 May 2006 |access-date=8 January 2020}}</ref> In January 2004, Khatami spoke to an Israeli reporter who asked him on what grounds Iran would recognize Israel. This was believed to be the first time he had spoken publicly with an Israeli.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iranian leader talks to Israeli |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3421283.stm |work=BBC News |date=22 January 2004 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> At the funeral of [[Pope John Paul II]] in April 2005, Khatami was seated close to the Iranian-born [[President of Israel|Israeli President]] [[Moshe Katsav]], who is from the same province, the [[Yazd Province]], as Khatami. Katsav said that he shook Khatami's hand and the two had a brief conversation about Iran. Khatami denied this.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4425487.stm |work=BBC News |title=Iran denies contact with Israel |date=9 April 2005 |access-date=5 May 2010}}</ref>

====Ahmadinejad presidency (2005–2013)====
[[File:Anti-Zionist_dustbin.png|left|thumb|Government sponsored [[Anti-Zionism|anti-Zionist]] artwork on a dustbin displayed in front of the [[Holy Defense Museum]] in Tehran, Iran.]]
The election of Mahmud Ahmedinijiad, a hardliner of Iranian politics, relations with Israel became increasingly strained as the countries engaged in a [[Iran–Israel proxy conflict|series of proxy conflicts]] and covert operations against each other.

During the [[2006 Lebanon War]], [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps|Iranian Revolutionary Guards]] (IRGC) were believed to have directly assisted [[Hezbollah]] fighters in their attacks on Israel. Multiple sources suggested that hundreds of IRGC operatives participated in firing rockets into Israel, and secured Hezbollah's long-range missiles. IRGC operatives were allegedly seen operating openly at Hezbollah outposts during the war. In addition, IRGC operatives were alleged to have supervised Hezbollah's attack on the [[INS Hanit|INS ''Hanit'']] with a [[C-802]] anti-ship missile. The attack severely damaged the warship and killed four crewmen. It is alleged that between six and nine IRGC operatives were killed by the Israeli military during the war. According to the Israeli media their bodies were transferred to [[Syria]] and from there, flown to [[Tehran]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3280446,00.html|title=Report: Iranian soldiers join Hizbullah in fighting|work=Ynetnews|first=Aaron|last=Klein|date=24 July 2006|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

During and immediately after the [[Gaza War (2008–09)|Gaza War]], the [[Israeli Air Force]], with the assistance of Israeli commandos, was reported to have carried out three [[2009 Sudan airstrikes|airstrikes in Sudan]] against Iranian arms being smuggled to [[Hamas]] through [[Sudan]], as Iran launched an intensive effort to supply Hamas with weapons and ammunition. Israel hinted that it was behind the attacks. Two truck convoys were destroyed, and an arms-laden ship was sunk in the [[Red Sea]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2009/03/exclusive-three/|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150218225215/https://abcnews.go.com/blogs/politics/2009/03/exclusive-three/|url-status=dead|title=Three Israeli Airstrikes Against Sudan|website=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |archivedate=18 February 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-israel-carried-out-3-attacks-on-sudan-arms-smugglers-1.273055|title=Report: Israel Carried Out 3 Attacks on Sudan Arms Smugglers|magazine=Haaretz|date=28 March 2009|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> On 4 November 2009, Israel [[Operation Four Species|captured a ship]] in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and its cargo of hundreds of tons of weapons allegedly bound from Iran to Hezbollah.

In 2010, a wave of assassinations targeting Iranian nuclear scientists began. The assassinations were widely believed to be the work of [[Mossad]], Israel's foreign intelligence service. According to Iran and global media sources, the methods used to kill the scientists is reminiscent of the way Mossad had previously assassinated targets. The assassinations were alleged to be an attempt to stop Iran's nuclear program, or to ensure that it cannot recover following a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.<ref name=yishai>{{cite news |title=Killing the brains |first=Ron |last=Ben-Yishai |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4174792,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=12 January 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> In the first attack, particle physicist [[Masoud Alimohammadi]] was killed on 12 January 2010 when a [[booby trap|booby-trapped]] motorcycle parked near his car exploded. On 12 October 2010, an explosion occurred at an [[IRGC]] military base near the city of [[Khorramabad]], killing 18 soldiers.<ref>{{cite news |title=18 Iran Guards Killed by Blast at Their Base |first=William |last=Yong |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/middleeast/14tehran.html?_r=0 |newspaper=The New York Times |date=13 October 2010}}</ref> On 29 November 2010, two senior Iranian nuclear scientists, [[Majid Shahriari]] and [[Fereydoon Abbasi]], were targeted by hitmen on motorcycles, who attached bombs to their cars and detonated them from a distance. Shahriari was killed, while Abbasi was severely wounded. On 23 July 2011, [[Darioush Rezaeinejad]] was shot dead in eastern Tehran. On 11 January 2012, [[Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan]] and his driver were killed by a bomb attached to their car from a motorcycle.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran: timeline of attacks |first=James |last=Meikle |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/11/secret-war-iran-timeline-attacks |newspaper=The Guardian |date=11 January 2012 |access-date=23 September 2012 |location=London}}</ref>

In June 2010, [[Stuxnet]], an advanced [[computer worm]], was discovered. It is believed that it had been developed by US and Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/03/stuxnet-act-of-force/|title=Legal Experts: Stuxnet Attack on Iran Was Illegal 'Act of Force'|publisher=Wired | date=25 March 2013|access-date=7 May 2013|first=Kim|last=Zetter}}</ref> In a study conducted by [[Institute for Science and International Security]] it is estimated that Stuxnet might have damaged as many as 1,000 [[centrifuge]]s (10% of all installed) in the [[Natanz]] [[Nuclear facilities in Iran#Natanz|enrichment plant]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/stuxnet_FEP_22Dec2010.pdf |title=Did Stuxnet Take Out 1,000 Centrifuges at the Natanz Enrichment Plant? |publisher=[[Institute for Science and International Security]] |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=7 May 2013}}</ref> Other computer viruses and malware, including [[Duqu]] and [[Flame (malware)|Flame]], were reportedly related to Stuxnet.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/10/spotted-in-iran-trojan-duqu-may-not-be-son-of-stuxnet-after-all.ars |title=Spotted in Iran, trojan Duqu may not be "son of Stuxnet" after all |date=27 October 2011 |access-date =27 October 2011}}</ref><ref name=BBC46>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18324234 |title=Flame: Attackers 'sought confidential Iran data' |author=Lee, Dave |date=4 June 2012 |work=BBC News |access-date=4 June 2012}}</ref> Iran claims that its adversaries regularly engineer sales of faulty equipment and attacks by computer viruses to sabotage its nuclear program.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4500027,00.html |title=Iran: Israel, US are behind attempt to sabotage Arak reactor |date=17 March 2014 |newspaper=Ynetnews}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/world/middleeast/iran-says-siemens-tried-to-sabotage-its-nuclear-program.html?_r=0 |title=Iran Says Nuclear Equipment Was Sabotaged |date=22 September 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iran-official-german-firm-planted-bombs-in-parts-meant-for-nuclear-program-1.466214 |title=Iran official: German firm planted bombs in parts meant for nuclear program |date=22 September 2012|newspaper=Haaretz}}</ref>

On 15 March 2011, [[Victoria Affair|Israel seized a ship]] from Syria bringing Iranian weapons to Gaza.<ref>{{cite news |title=Navy intercepts ship with Iranian arms bound for Hamas|url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=212234 |work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Yaakov|last=Lappin|date=15 March 2011|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref> In addition, the Mossad was also suspected of being responsible for an explosion that reportedly damaged the nuclear facility at [[Isfahan]]. Iran denied that any explosion had occurred, but ''[[The Times]]'' reported damage to the nuclear plant based on satellite images, and quoted Israeli intelligence sources as saying that the blast indeed targeted a nuclear site, and was "no accident".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4155246,00.html|title=Report: Blast at Isfahan damaged nuclear facility|work=ynet|date=30 November 2011 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Hours after the blast took place, Hezbollah fired two rockets into northern Israel, causing property damage. The [[Israel Defense Forces]] reacted by firing four artillery shells at the area from where the launch originated. It was speculated that the attack was ordered by Iran and Syria as a warning to Israel.<ref>{{cite news |title=A message from Iran |first=Daniel |last=Nisman |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4154599,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref> The Israeli attack was reported to have killed 7 people, including foreign nationals. Another 12 people were injured, of whom 7 later died in hospital.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4160500,00.html|title=Iran: 7 killed in steel factory blast|work=ynet|date=12 December 2011 |access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Cohen |first1=Dudi }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4162680,00.html|title=Iran: Factory blast death toll reaches 16|work=ynet|date=16 December 2011 |access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Cohen |first1=Dudi }}</ref> The Mossad was also suspected of being behind an [[Bidganeh explosion|explosion]] at a Revolutionary Guard missile base in November 2011. The blast killed 17 Revolutionary Guard operatives, including General [[Tehrani Moqaddam|Hassan Moqaddam]], described as a key figure in Iran's missile program.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/14/iran-explosion-missile-expert|title=Iranian missile expert killed in explosion|work=The Guardian|date=14 November 2011 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Israeli journalist [[Ron Ben-Yishai]] wrote that several lower-ranked Iranian missile experts had probably been previously killed in several explosions at various sites.<ref name=yishai />

In response to Israeli covert operations, Iranian agents reportedly began trying to hit Israeli and Jewish targets; potential targets were then placed on high alert. [[Yoram Cohen]], the head of [[Shin Bet]], claimed that three planned attacks in [[Turkey]], [[Azerbaijan]] and [[Thailand]] were thwarted at the last minute.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/03/iran-israeli-targets-retaliation-scientists|title=Iran 'trying to attack Israeli targets in retaliation for scientists' deaths'|author=Harriet Sherwood|work=The Guardian|date=3 February 2012 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> On 11 October 2011, the [[United States]] claimed to have [[2011 alleged Iran assassination plot|foiled an alleged Iranian plot]] that included bombing the Israeli and [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] embassies in [[Washington, D.C.|Washington DC]] and [[Buenos Aires]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/10/11/141240766/reports-terrorist-plot-tied-to-iran-disrupted |title='Factions' Of Iran's Government Behind Terrorist Plot, Holder Says |work=[[NPR]] |date=11 October 2011 |access-date=21 October 2011 |first1=John |last1=Stevens |first2=Oliver |last2=Tree }}</ref> On 13 February 2012, Israeli embassy staff in [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] and [[India]] were [[2012 Israeli embassy attack|targeted]]. In Georgia, a [[car bomb]] failed to explode near the embassy and was safely detonated by Georgian police. In India, the car bomb exploded, injuring four people. Amongst the wounded was the wife of an Israeli Defense Ministry employee.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4188985.html|title=Israeli missions in India, Georgia targeted|work=ynet|date=13 February 2012 |access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Magnezi |first1=Aviel }}</ref> Israel accused Iran of being behind the attacks.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4189080,00.html|title=Netanyahu: Iran responsible for attacks on Israeli embassies|work=ynet|date=13 February 2012 |access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Azulay |first1=Moran }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Israel-embassy-car-blast-Indian-intelligence-hints-at-Irans-hand/articleshow/11878760.cms|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708001850/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-14/india/31058847_1_magnetic-bomb-mostafa-ahmadi-roshan-iranian-nuclear-scientists|url-status=live|archive-date=8 July 2012|work=[[The Times of India]]|title=Israel embassy car blast: Indian intelligence hints at Iran's hand|date=14 February 2012 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> The following day, three alleged Iranian agents were uncovered in [[Bangkok]], [[Thailand]], thought to have been planning to kill Israeli diplomatic officials, including the ambassador, by attaching bombs to embassy cars. The cell was uncovered when one of their bombs exploded. Police responded, and the Iranian agent present at the house threw an explosive device at officers that tore his legs off, and was subsequently taken into custody. A second suspect was arrested as he tried to catch a flight out of the country, and the third escaped to [[Malaysia]], where he was arrested by Malaysian Federal Police.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4190239,00.html|title=Malaysia police arrest suspect in Bangkok blasts |work=ynet|date=15 February 2012 | access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Thai police subsequently arrested two people suspected of involvement.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4191075,00.html |title=Thai police: 2 more suspects in terror case |work=ynet|date=17 February 2012 | access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Ynet |first1=AP and }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4189854,00.html|title=Thai official: Iran terrorists targeted Israeli diplomats|work=ynet|date=15 February 2012|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Indian police arrested a Delhi-based journalist in connection with February's car bomb, which injured four Israelis including the wife of an Israeli diplomat. Syed Mohammed Kazmi the journalist was arrested on 6 March 2012, he is said to have been in contact with a suspect police believe might have stuck a magnetic bomb to the diplomat's car. It is said Kazmi was an Indian citizen who worked for an Iranian publication.<ref>{{cite news|author=BBS News India|title=Indian journalist held for attack on Israeli envoy|date=7 March 2012|publisher=BBC News India|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17282420}}</ref>

In late February 2012, the [[Stratfor email leak]] included a claim that Israeli commandos, in collaboration with [[Kurdish people|Kurdish]] fighters, destroyed several underground Iranian facilities used for nuclear and defense research projects.<ref>{{cite news |title=Report: U.S., Israel helped train Iranian dissidents |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-u-s-israel-helped-train-iranian-dissidents-1.423072 |work=Haaretz |date=7 April 2012}}</ref>

On 18 July 2012, a bus carrying Israeli tourists in [[Bulgaria]] was destroyed in a [[2012 Burgas bus bombing|bombing attack]] that killed five Israeli tourists and the driver, and injured 32 people. Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] blamed Iran and Hezbollah for the attack.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM Netanyahu's Remarks Following Terror Attack in Bulgaria |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=134486 |newspaper=Yeshiva World News |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> In July 2012, a senior Israeli defense official stated that since May 2011, more than 20 terrorist attacks planned by Iran and Hezbollah against Israeli targets worldwide had been foiled, including in [[South Africa]], [[Azerbaijan]], [[Kenya]], [[Turkey]], [[Thailand]], [[2012 Cyprus terrorist plot|Cyprus]], [[Bulgaria]], [[Nepal]], and [[Nigeria]], and that Iranian and Hezbollah operatives were incarcerated in jails throughout the world.<ref>{{cite news|title=PM reveals: South Africa attack against Israelis thwarted |first=Itamar |last=Eichner |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4258237,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=20 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Iranian travelling on fake Israeli passport 'arrested in Nepal' |first=Robert |last=Tait |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10013029/Iranian-travelling-on-fake-Israeli-passport-arrested-in-Nepal.html |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=23 April 2013 |location=London}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Nigeria nabs terrorists planning attacks on Israelis |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Nigeria-nabs-terrorists-planning-attacks-on-Israelis |newspaper=Jerusalem Post |date=21 February 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Nigeria foils latest Hezbollah plot to attack Israelis |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Nigeria-foils-latest-Hezbollah-plot-to-attack-Israelis-314942 |newspaper=Jerusalem Post |date=30 May 2013}}</ref>

On 6 October 2012, Israeli airplanes shot down a small [[Unmanned aerial vehicle|drone]] as it flew over northern [[Negev]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=286845|title=IAF shoots down UAV in northern Negev|work=The Jerusalem Post |date=4 August 2012 |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Hezbollah confirmed it sent the drone and [[Hassan Nasrallah|Nasrallah]] said in a televised speech that the drone's parts were manufactured in Iran.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-israel-drone-idUSBRE89A19J20121011|title=Hezbollah confirms it sent drone downed over Israel|author=Mariam Karouny|date=11 October 2012 |work=Reuters |access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> On 24 October 2012, Sudan claimed that Israel had [[Yarmouk munitions factory explosion|bombed a munitions factory]], allegedly belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, south of Khartoum.<ref name="aj25">{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/10/20121024142531802810.html |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=25 October 2012 |access-date=25 October 2012 |title=Khartoum fire blamed on Israeli bombing}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/9631769/Israeli-jets-bombed-weapons-factory-in-Khartoum-Sudan-claims.html|title=Israeli jets 'bombed weapons factory in Khartoum', Sudan claims|date=24 October 2012|access-date=20 November 2012|work=Daily Telegraph|location=London|first=David|last=Blair}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/25/israeli-sudanese-factory-secret-war |location=London |work=The Guardian |first=Ian |last=Black |title='Israeli attack' on Sudanese arms factory offers glimpse of secret war |date=25 October 2012}}</ref> In November 2012, Israel reported that an Iranian ship was being loaded with rockets to be exported to countries within range of Israel and that Israel "will attack and destroy any shipment of arms".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israeli-spy-satellites-spot-iranian-ship-being-loaded-with-rockets-for-gaza-1.480303|title=Report: Israeli Spy Satellites Spot Iranian Ship Being Loaded With Rockets for Gaza|magazine=Haaretz|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> In January 2013, the Fordo nuclear plant was hit by an explosion. Iranian officials suspected Mossad or CIA were responsible.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tehran suspects Mossad in Fordo blast, says Iranian expat |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/tehran-suspects-mossad-in-fordo-blast-says-iranian-expat/ |work=Times of Israel |date=28 January 2013}}</ref> On 25 April 2013, Israeli aircraft shot down a drone off the coast of [[Haifa]], allegedly belonging to Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news |title=IAF shoots down drone from Lebanon off Haifa |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/IAF-shoots-down-drone-which-flew-south-from-Lebanon-311098 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=25 April 2013}}</ref>

On 30 January 2013, Israeli aircraft allegedly [[January 2013 Israeli airstrike in Syria|struck]] a Syrian convoy transporting Iranian weapons to Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel strikes Syrian weapons en route to Hezbollah |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=301562 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=30 January 2013}}</ref> Other sources stated the targeted site was a [[Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center|military research center]] in [[Jamraya]] responsible for developing biological and chemical weapons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Analysis: Syria center long been on Israel's radar |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=301599 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=31 January 2013}}</ref> Two additional [[May 2013 Rif Dimashq airstrikes|air strikes]] reportedly took place on 3 and 5 May 2013. Both targeted long-ranged weapons sent from Iran to Hezbollah.<ref>{{cite news |title=IAF strike in Syria targeted arms from Iran |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Report-IAF-strike-in-Syria-targeted-arms-coming-from-Iran-312036 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=4 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Israel overnight strike targeted Iranian missile shipment meant for Hezbollah|first=Gili|last=Cohen|date=5 May 2013|newspaper=Ha'aretz|access-date=5 May 2013|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-overnight-strike-targeted-iranian-missile-shipment-meant-for-hezbollah-1.519224}}</ref> According to anonymous US officials, [[July 2013 Latakia explosion|Israel launched another airstrike]] or cruise missile attack on 5 July. It targeted Russian-made Yakhont anti-ship missiles near the city of Latakia, and killed several Syrian troops.<ref>{{cite news|title=Report: Israel behind recent strike on Syria missile depot, U.S. officials say |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israel-behind-recent-strike-on-syria-missile-depot-u-s-officials-say-1.535502 |newspaper=Haaretz|date=12 July 2013}}</ref>

On 7 May 2013, residents of Tehran reported hearing three blasts in an area where Iran maintains its missile research and depots. Later, an Iranian website said the blasts occurred at a privately owned chemical factory.<ref>{{cite news |title=Triple explosion reportedly shakes western Tehran |first=Yakkov |last=Lappin |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Triple-explosion-reportedly-shakes-western-Tehran-312431 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=8 May 2013}}</ref>

====Rouhani presidency (2013–2021)====
=====In the Syrian Arab Republic=====
Several incidents have taken place on the Israeli–Syrian ceasefire line during the [[Syrian civil war]], straining the Iran–Israel relations. The incidents are considered a spillover of the [[Quneitra Governorate clashes (2012–14)|Quneitra Governorate clashes since 2012]] and later incidents between Iran-supported [[Syrian Arab Army]] and the rebels, ongoing on the Syrian-controlled side of the Golan and the Golan Neutral Zone and the [[Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian Civil War|Hezbollah]].

Since the onset of the Syrian War, the Israeli military is reportedly preparing itself for potential threats should there be a power vacuum in Syria. "After Assad and after establishing or strengthening their foothold in Syria they are going to move and deflect their effort and attack Israel", an Israeli official told The Associated Press in January 2014. Some experts{{who|date=January 2024}} say that while the encroaching militant forces on Israel's border will heighten security measures, the advancements are not likely to create significant changes to Israel's policy disengagement in the Syria crisis.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/golan-unrest-spells-new-militants-israels-syria-borders-1053014275#sthash.R0zbzcyN.dpuf|title=Golan unrest spells militant threat for Israel's Syria borders|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> IAF has been suspected of a number of airstrikes on Syrian soil, allegedly targeting Iranian and Hezbollah targets.<ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-us-said-to-kill-12-iran-backed-fighters-in-separate-strikes-in-syria/amp/Israel, US said to kill 12 Iran-backed fighters in separate strikes in Syria] Retrieved 21 November 2023</ref>
According to the Israeli military, since 2017 it has carried out over 400 airstrikes in Syria (and other areas in the Middle East) targeting Iran and its allies.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/israels-war-between-the-wars-with-iran-expands-across-middle-east-11649595603|title=Israel's 'War Between the Wars' With Iran Expands Across Middle East|newspaper=Wall Street Journal |date=10 April 2022 |agency=Reuters|access-date=11 April 2022|last1=Nissenbaum |first1=Dion }}</ref>

=====In Israel=====
A court in Jerusalem has sentenced an Israeli man, Yitzhak Bergel to four-and-a-half years in prison for offering to spy for Iran. Bergel belongs to the anti-Zionist [[Neturei Karta]], an ultra-Orthodox Jewish sect which is vehemently opposed to the State of Israel's existence.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel jails anti-Zionist for offering to spy for Iran |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25934096 |work=BBC News |date=28 January 2014}}</ref>

=====International incidents=====
On 5 March 2014, the Israeli navy intercepted the Klos-C cargo ship. Israel stated Iran was using the vessel to smuggle dozens of long-range rockets to Gaza, including Syrian-manufactured M-302 rockets. The operation, named ''[[Operation Full Disclosure|Full Disclosure]]'' and carried out by [[Shayetet 13]] special forces, took place in the Red Sea, 1,500 kilometers away from Israel and some 160 kilometers from Port Sudan.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound Iranian rocket ship near Port Sudan |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Israel-Navy-intercepts-Gaza-bound-Iranian-rocket-ship-near-Port-Sudan-344369 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=5 March 2014}}</ref>

=====In Iran=====
[[File:Iranen elkartasuna Gazarekin 2018 4.jpg|thumb|Protest in [[Tehran]], Iran, 18 May 2018]]
On 6 May 2014, it was reported that a blast shook the Iranian city of [[Qazvin]]. ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' reported that the city might be home to a secret nuclear facility.<ref>{{cite news|title=Large explosion rocks northern Iranian city|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4516857,00.html|work=Ynet news|date=6 May 2014}}</ref><ref>[https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/large-explosion-rocks-northern-iranian-city-23608856 Fire Breaks out in Industrial Iranian City] ABC News. 6 May 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Large-explosion-at-oil-depot-in-northern-Iran-351462 Large explosion at oil depot in northern Iran] Jerusalem Post. 6 May 2014</ref><ref>[http://www.cbc.ca/news/northern-iranian-city-rocked-by-big-explosion-1.2633737 Northern Iranian city rocked by big explosion] CBC News. 6 May 2014</ref>

Iranian state media reported that on 24 August 2014, [[IRGC]] had shot down an Israeli drone near [[Nuclear facilities in Iran#Natanz|Natanz fuel enrichment plant]]. Israeli military did not comment on the reports.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://qz.com/255237/a-downed-israeli-drone-could-advance-irans-own-drone-program/|title=A downed Israeli drone could advance Iran's own drone program|work=Quartz|first=Daniel A.|last=Medina|date=25 August 2014}}</ref>

Two workers were killed in an explosion that took place at a military explosives factory southeast of Tehran, near the suspected nuclear reactor in [[Parchin]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Report: Two dead after explosion in Iranian nuclear facility |url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Report-Two-dead-after-explosion-in-Iranian-military-facility-378166 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=6 October 2014}}</ref> In what was claimed by a Kuwaiti newspaper to be a response ordered by Iran,<ref>{{cite news |title=Report: Hezbollah attack on Har Dov ordered by Iran following explosion at nuclear facility |url=http://www.jpost.com/International/Report-Hezbollah-attack-on-Har-Dov-ordered-by-Iran-following-explosion-at-nuclear-facility-378533 |work=Jerusalem Post |date=10 October 2014}}</ref> Hezbollah set off an explosive device on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-controlled side of the [[Shebaa farms]], wounding two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with artillery fire toward two Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.<ref>{{cite news |title=Hezbollah Attack Along Border With Lebanon Wounds Two Israeli Soldiers |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/world/middleeast/israel-soldiers-wounded-hezbollah-explosions.html?_r=1 |work=New York Times|first1=Isabel|last1=Kershner|first2=Anne|last2=Barnard |date=7 October 2014}}</ref>

==== Raisi presidency (2021–2024) ====
[[File:12-Popular gathering and support for Gaza children-Tehran-تجمع مردمی و حمایت از کودکان غزه- تهران.jpg|thumb|Protest against [[Israel]]'s bombing of the [[Gaza Strip]] in Tehran on 18 November 2023|left]]

=====In Iran=====
In April 2022, President Ebrahim Raisi declared in the speech for military parade that "Iran's armed forces will target Israel's heart if it makes 'the slightest move'".<ref>{{cite web |title=Raisi: Iran Will Target Heart of Israel if it Acts Against Iranian Nation |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/raisi-says-iran-will-target-heart-of-israel-if-it-acts-against-iranian-nation-/6533943.html |website=Voa News |agency=Reuters|date=18 April 2022|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

In May 2022, Colonel Sayad Khodayee was killed outside his home in Tehran by two gunmen on motorcycles. Iran blamed Israel for this. The spokeswoman of the Israeli prime minister refuse to "comment on the killing". But an unnamed intelligence official of Israel reported to NYT that Israel was responsible for the killing.<ref>{{cite web |title=Israel Tells U.S. It Killed Iranian Officer, Official Says |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/05/25/world/middleeast/iran-israel-killing-khodayee.html |work=The New York Times|first1=Farnaz|last1=Fassihi|first2=Ronen|last2=Bergman|date=25 May 2022|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Israel said to tell US it killed IRGC officer, who was deputy head of covert unit |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-tell-us-it-killed-irgc-officer-who-was-deputy-head-of-covert-unit/ |work=The Times of Israel|date=26 May 2022|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref>

As NYT reported, Iran accused Israel of killing two Iranian scientists by "poisoning their food", according to an Iranian official who did not want to be named. The two scientists were Ayoub Entezari, an aeronautical engineer who worked for a military research center, and Kamran Aghamolaei, a geologist. Israeli media and Persian news channels abroad claimed that "Mr. Aghamolaei worked at Iran's [[Natanz]] nuclear facility".<ref name="NYT 2022">{{cite web |last1=Fassihi |first1=Farnaz |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |title=Iran Suspects Israel Killed Two Scientists With Poison |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/13/world/middleeast/israel-poison-iranian-scientists.html |work=The New York Times|date=13 June 2022|access-date=25 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Israel Poisoned Two Iranian Scientists, NYT Report Suggests |url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/2022-06-14/ty-article/.premium/two-iranian-scientists-died-by-israeli-poison-nyt-report-suggests/00000181-5eb4-dde4-a187-febf97370000 |work=Haaretz|date=14 June 2022|access-date=25 June 2022}}</ref>

=====International incidents=====
On 1 April 2024, the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, was struck by an [[Israeli airstrike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus|Israeli airstrike]], killing 16 people, including Brigadier General [[Mohammad Reza Zahedi]], a senior [[Quds Force]] commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and seven other IRGC officers.<ref>{{cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=2 April 2024 |title=Iran vows revenge after two generals killed in Israeli strike on Syria consulate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/01/israeli-airstrike-on-iranian-consulate-in-damascus-kills-irgc-commander |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401230727/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/01/israeli-airstrike-on-iranian-consulate-in-damascus-kills-irgc-commander |archive-date=1 April 2024 |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=[[The Guardian]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/330101/|title=Death toll update &#124; Woman and her son among 16 people killed in Israeli raid on building attached to Iranian embassy|work=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights|date=3 April 2024 }}</ref> On 13 April, Iran retaliated against the attack with [[April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|missile and drone strikes in Israel]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=13 April 2024 |title=Iran launches air attack on Israel, with drones 'hours' away |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/13/israeli-army-says-iran-has-launched-drones-at-israel |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=[[Al Jazeera English|Al Jazeera]] |archive-date=13 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413204842/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/13/israeli-army-says-iran-has-launched-drones-at-israel |url-status=live }}</ref> On 19 April, Israel launched a series of [[April 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran|retaliatory missile strikes]] on Iranian military sites. Iranian officials have also reported explosions at military sites in Syria and Iraq.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/live-israel-launches-missile-attack-in-response-to-iran-assault|title=Iran says drones downed over Isfahan after explosions heard|website=Al Jazeera|access-date=19 April 2024|archive-date=19 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419023421/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/live-israel-launches-missile-attack-in-response-to-iran-assault|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Pezeshkian presidency (2024–present)====
On 5 August 2024 [[Ali Bagheri]], Foreign Minister of Iran, notified his counterpart in Israel, [[Israel Katz]], through the good offices of [[Hungary]]'s [[Foreign Minister]] [[Péter Szijjártó]] of its intent to avenge the assassination of [[Palestinian Authority]] negotiator [[Ismail Haniyeh]].<ref name="jp1">{{cite news |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-813400 |title=Iran has decided to attack Israel, Foreign Minister Katz says }}</ref><ref name="hc1">{{cite news |url=https://www.hungarianconservative.com/articles/current/israel_iran_attack_hungary_escalation_middle-east_diplomacy/ |title=Hungary Alerted Israel to Iran's Intention to Attack &#124; Hungarian Conservative }}</ref> Bagheri made no mention in his published transcript of the conversation of the particular act of Israel that wronged his country.<ref name="mfair1">{{cite news |url=https://en.mfa.ir/portal/newsview/751084/Iran-Acting-FM-holds-phone-conversation-with-Hungarian-FM-talks-bilateral-ties-Israeli-crimes}}</ref> ''[[Xinhua]]'' of China characterized Haniyeh as "Hamas Politburo Chief", and left no doubt that Iran's intent was to seek vengeance for [[Assassination of Ismail Haniyeh|his assassination]].<ref name="xcn1">{{cite news |url=https://english.news.cn/20240806/e03034ba9ac94e9b93e0bbb74f01d13a/c.html |title=Iran, Hungary discuss Hamas chief's assassination, Gaza-Xinhua }}</ref>

On 1 October 2024, Iran [[October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|launched about 180 ballistic missiles at Israel]] in retaliation for assassinations of Haniyeh, [[Hassan Nasrallah]] and [[Abbas Nilforoushan]]. On 27 October, Israel responded to that attack by [[October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran|strikes]] on a missile defence system in the Iranian region of Isfahan.<ref>{{cite news |title=What we know about Israel's attack on Iran |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgr0yvrx4qpo |work=www.bbc.com}}</ref>

On 13 June 2025 [[June 2025 Israeli strikes in Iran|Israel carried out strikes]] against Iranian nuclear and military targets the day after the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] declared that Iran had violated its obligations regarding nuclear profiliation.<ref name=isrstr/><ref name=iaeboa>{{Cite news |last=Murphy |first=Francois |date=12 June 2025 |title=IAEA board declares Iran in breach of non-proliferation obligations |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/china/iaea-board-declares-iran-breach-non-proliferation-duties-diplomats-say-2025-06-12/ |access-date=13 June 2025 |work=Reuters |language=en}}</ref>

On 19 June 2025, during the [[Iran–Israel war]], Iran launched a missile barrage targeting the [[Soroka Medical Center]] in [[Beersheba|Beersheva]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photos and footage show damage at Soroka Hospital after missile strike |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/photos-and-footage-show-damage-at-soroka-hospital-after-missile-strike/ |access-date=19 June 2025 |website=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}</ref> The strike injured people in the hospital, caused severe damage and a suspected chemical leak, forcing patients to evacuate.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Roberts |first1=Rachel Marshall |last2=Braschi |first2=Jessica |date=2020-06-22 |title=An alternative way to evacuate a pneumoperitoneum in COVID-19 suspected or positive patients. |url=https://doi.org/10.22541/au.159284903.30515543 |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=doi.org|doi=10.22541/au.159284903.30515543 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Soroka spokesperson says hospital suffered 'extensive damage,' people wounded |website=[[The Times of Israel]] |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/soroka-spokesperson-says-hospital-suffered-extensive-damage-people-wounded/}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Israel-Iran live: Israeli hospital hit by missile - as Israel bombs nuclear reactor after warning Iranians to flee |url=https://news.sky.com/story/israel-iran-live-trump-tehran-tel-aviv-netanyahu-nulear-latest-13382979 |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>

== Destruction of Israel in Iranian policy ==
{{Cleanup merge|Destruction of Israel in Iranian policy}}
[[File:راهپیمایی_روز_قدس_در_تهران_-_۶-۲۸.jpg|thumb|upright=1.3|[[Quds Day]] celebrated in [[Tehran]] in 2016]]The [[Iran|Islamic Republic of Iran]]'s foreign policy doctrine includes calling for the '''destruction of [[Israel]]''' as a [[Jews|Jewish]] state.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Ostovar |first=Afshon |title=Wars of Ambition: the United States, Iran, and the Struggle for the Middle East |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-094098-0 |series= |location=New York, NY |pages=6 |quote=The simmering conflict between Iran and Israel, which is driven by the Islamic Republic’s aim of destroying Israel as a Jewish entity, fuels the Palestinian crisis, and reverberates across the region and beyond, also features heavily and is the focus of the book's latter section. [...] Iran sought ... an end to America's dominance and to Israel's existence as a Jewish state. Those had been Iran's goals since the 1979 revolution ...}}</ref>{{Undue weight inline|date=June 2025|reason=more sources needed for "as a Jewish state"}} This position emerged from the [[Iranian Revolution|1979 Islamic Revolution]], which transformed Iran–Israel relations from close partners during the [[Pahlavi Iran|Pahlavi monarchy]] to principal ideological adversaries.<ref name=":10">{{Cite web |last=Maloney |first=Suzanne |date=2024-12-10 |title=The Middle East's Dangerous New Normal: Iran, Israel, and the Delicate Balance of Disorder |url=https://www.foreignaffairs.com/middle-east/israel-iran-dangerous-new-normal-suzanne-maloney |access-date=2025-06-06 |website=Foreign Affairs |language=en}}</ref> Ayatollah [[Ruhollah Khomeini]], the founder of the Islamic Republic, denounced Israel as an illegitimate "[[Zionist regime]]" and cut off diplomatic relations. Since then, this stance has been embedded in official rhetoric, military programs, state-sponsored education, and symbolic events such as [[Quds Day]].

The rejection of Israel's legitimacy has remained consistent across both hardline and moderate Iranian leaderships. Supreme Leaders Ruhollah Khomeini and [[Ali Khamenei]] have both repeatedly referred to Israel as a "[[Cancer|cancerous]] [[Neoplasm|tumor]]" and publicly called for its elimination. Even reformist leaders and moderate clerics have supported this stance. While the Iranian regime maintains that its opposition is directed at [[Zionism]] rather than at [[Jews]] or [[Judaism]], official propaganda has frequently blurred this distinction, at times incorporating [[Holocaust denial]] and invoking [[Antisemitic trope|antisemitic tropes]].

Iran’s anti-Israel policy is implemented through a centralized institutional framework led by the office of the Supreme Leader and the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC). Operational activities are largely carried out via a network of allied non-state actors, including [[Hezbollah]] in [[Lebanon]], the [[Houthis]] in [[Yemen]], [[Hamas]] and [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] in the [[Palestinian territories]], and other affiliated groups. These organizations receive sustained Iranian support in the form of funding, weapons, and training, and are collectively referred to by Iranian officials as the "[[Axis of Resistance]]." This proxy network enables Iran to exert influence across multiple fronts while posing an existential threat to Israel through asymmetric conflict. Additionally, statements by senior officials and the regime's hostility toward Israel have led many observers{{which|date=June 2025}} to view [[Nuclear program of Iran|Iran's nuclear ambitions]] as part of a broader strategy to destroy Israel.

=== Leadership ===
Once strategic partners, Iran and Israel's relationship ended after the 1979 [[Iranian Revolution]]. According to [[Efraim Karsh]], the Islamic Republic subsequently cut ties with Israel and positioned it as a central ideological adversary.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Karsh |first=Efraim |date=2023-11-02 |title=The Israel-Iran conflict: between Washington and Beijing |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13537121.2023.2269694 |journal=Israel Affairs |volume=29 |issue=6 |pages=1075–1076 |doi=10.1080/13537121.2023.2269694 |issn=1353-7121}}</ref> Since that time, Iran has declared the elimination of Israel as a central objective within the region.<ref name=":82">{{Cite book |last=Ostovar |first=Afshon |title=Wars of Ambition: the United States, Iran, and the Struggle for the Middle East |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-094098-0 |series= |location=New York, NY |pages=18 |quote=The goal of destroying Israel as a Jewish entity is a cornerstone of the Islamic Republic of Iran's regional strategy. That goal is intertwined with its larger pursuit to overturn the regional order, and in service to both ends, Iran has built an extensive network of militant proxies across the region to threaten Israel’s security. ... The October 7 attacks against Israel were, at least in part, a product of Iran’s campaign, and pushed the conflict into another, more dangerous stage.}}</ref> Ayatollah [[Ruhollah Khomeini]], the Republic's founding Supreme Leader, branded Israel the "Small Satan", a counterpart to the United States as "[[Great Satan]]".<ref name=":0" /> Iranian leaders across generations, from Khomeini and his successor Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]], to senior officials, military commanders, and state-aligned media, have consistently invoked rhetoric calling for Israel's elimination or forecasting its collapse.<ref name=":0" />

==== Supreme leaders ====
{{Further information|Israel won't exist in 25 years}}
Supreme Leader Ruhollah Khomeini referred to Israel multiple times as a "cancerous tumor" and a "cancerous gland.", and said it was "an obligation" to provide financial support to the Palestinian ''[[mujahideen]]'' "in order to abolish the [[Kafir|infidel]] Zionists, who are the enemies of humanity."<ref name="auto">{{Cite journal |last=Reda |first=Latife |date=2016-04-02 |title=Origins of the Islamic Republic's Strategic Approaches to Power and Regional Politics: The Palestinian-Israeli Conflict in Khomeini's Discourse |url=https://doi.org/10.1080/19436149.2016.1141587 |journal=Middle East Critique |volume=25 |issue=2 |pages=181–203 |doi=10.1080/19436149.2016.1141587 |issn=1943-6149}}</ref> He urged Muslims to topple pro-Western governments and mobilise in pursuit of Israel's destruction.<ref name=":11">{{Cite book |last=Ḫalaǧī |first=Mahdī |title=The Regent of Allah: Ali Khamenei's Political Evolution in Iran |date=2023 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |others=Washington Institute for Near East Policy |isbn=978-1-5381-8752-4 |location=Lanham |pages=8, 59, 183}}</ref> Khomeini’s hostility toward Israel was deeply entangled with his broader antisemitic worldview. He wrote that the Jews, “may God curse them,” were “opposed to the very foundations of Islam and wish to establish Jewish domination throughout the world."<ref name=":03">{{Citation |last=Litvak |first=Meir |title=Iranian Antisemitism and the Holocaust |date=2017 |work=Antisemitism Before and Since the Holocaust: Altered Contexts and Recent Perspectives |pages=209 |editor-last=McElligott |editor-first=Anthony |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48866-0_9 |access-date=2025-06-16 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-48866-0_9 |isbn=978-3-319-48866-0 |editor2-last=Herf |editor2-first=Jeffrey}}</ref> In practice he conflated Judaism and Zionism, asserting that "the clearest manifestation of the Jewish–Christian conspiracy against Islam was the establishment of Israel by [[Imperialism|Western imperialism]] in order to oppress the Muslims."<ref name=":03" /> Khomeini portrayed Jews as both "agents of the West" and the "real power behind the West".<ref name=":03" /> Their claim to statehood, he argued, was a violation of the divine order, insisting that because of their "evil deeds," Jews were burdened with "the wrath of God" and "condemned to eternal humiliation and subordination to Muslims."<ref name=":03" />

[[File:Portrait_of_Ali_Khamenei,_October_2016.jpg|thumb|upright|Supreme leader [[Ali Khamenei]] described Israel as a "malignant cancerous tumor" that must "be removed and eradicated"]]

In 2013, Supreme Leader of Iran Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, called Israel "an illegitimate regime" led by "untouchable rabid dogs" and "doomed to failure and annihilation."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Freilich |first=Charles David |title=Israeli National Security: A New Strategy for an Era of Change |date=2018 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-060293-2 |location=New York |pages=37}}</ref> In 2015, he said there would be "no Zionist regime in 25 years" and that "during this period, the spirit of fighting, heroism and jihad will keep [Israel] worried every moment."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Erdbrink |first=Thomas |date=2015-09-09 |title=Iran's Supreme Leader Says Israel Won't Exist in 25 Years |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2015/09/10/world/middleeast/iran-ayatollah-khamenei-israel-will-not-exist.html |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Khamenei referred to Israel as "cancerous" on numerous occasions, has said Israel will be destroyed, and has pledged Iran's support for any group or nation confronting it.<ref>{{Cite news |date=2020-01-17 |title=Iran: Khamenei to lead Friday prayers for first time since 2012 amid US tensions |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jan/17/iran-khamenei-to-lead-friday-prayers-for-first-time-since-2012 |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}{{pb}}{{Cite news |last=Pileggi |first=Tamar |date=2018-06-04 |title=Khamenei: Israel a 'cancerous tumor' that 'must be eradicated' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/khamenei-israel-a-cancerous-tumor-that-must-be-eradicated/ |work=Times of Israel}}{{pb}}{{Cite web |date=2021-05-07 |title=Iran's Khamenei says Israel 'not a country, but a terrorist base' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20210507-iran-s-khamenei-says-israel-not-a-country-but-a-terrorist-base |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=France 24 |language=en}}{{pb}}{{Cite news |date=2020-05-22 |title=Iran leader says Israel a 'cancerous tumour' to be destroyed |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/iran-leader-says-israel-a-cancerous-tumour-to-be-destroyed/articleshow/75901419.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2025-06-04 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}</ref>

On October 3, 2023, four days before the Hamas-led [[October 7 attacks]] on Israel, Khamenei delivered a speech in Tehran in which he said Israel would "die of [its] rage", and concluded by saying: "This cancer will definitely be eradicated, God willing, at the hands of the [[Palestinians|Palestinian people]] and the resistance forces throughout the region."<ref name=":10"/> In 2024, Ali Khamenei told Hamas leader [[Ismail Haniyeh]]: "The divine promise to eliminate the Zionist entity will be fulfilled and we will see the day when Palestine will rise [[from the river to the sea]]."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2024-05-23 |title=Iran's Khamenei tells visiting Hamas chief that Israel 'will one day be eliminated' |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-khamenei-tells-visiting-hamas-chief-that-israel-will-one-day-be-eliminated/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240602155654/https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-khamenei-tells-visiting-hamas-chief-that-israel-will-one-day-be-eliminated/ |archive-date=2024-06-02 |access-date=2024-06-02 |work=[[The Times of Israel]]}}</ref>

==== Presidents ====
{{Further info|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel}}
[[File:Mahmoud_Ahmadinejad_crop.jpg|thumb|left|upright|President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] called for Israel to be "erased from the face of the earth"]]
Former President Ayatollah [[Akbar Hashemi Rafsanjani]] said that the detonation of a single nuclear weapon inside Israel "will annihilate the entire country" (''hame-ye Esra'il ra nabud khahad kard'').<ref name=":1">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=199}}</ref> In 2006, at the ''World Without Zionism'' conference, then-President [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] invoked a quote from Ayatollah Khomeini calling for Israel to be "erased from the face of the earth" (''mahv-e Esra'il az safhe-ye ruzegar'').<ref name=":2">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=206–207}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=MacAskill |first1=Ewen |last2=McGreal |first2=Chris |date=2005-10-26 |title=Israel should be wiped off map, says Iran's president |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2005/oct/27/israel.iran |access-date=2025-06-15 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> He also declared [[the Holocaust]] a myth that Israel considers "above God, religion and the prophets."<ref>{{Cite book |last=Arjomand |first=Said Amir |title=After Khomeini: Iran under his successors |date=2009 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-539179-4 |location=Oxford |pages=157}}</ref> In 2007, he said that Iran would "witness the destruction of this regime in the near future."<ref>{{Cite news |date=2007-08-09 |title=Iran president sees "countdown" to Israel's end |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/iran-president-sees-countdown-to-israels-end-idUSBLA326530/ |work=Reuters}}</ref> In a 2012 interview, Ahmadinejad stated that Israel lacked historical roots in the Middle East and therefor would eventually be "eliminated,", despite prior UN calls to refrain from using provocative language ahead of the General Assembly.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Charbonneau |first=Louis |date=2012-09-24 |title=In New York, defiant Ahmadinejad says Israel will be "eliminated" |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/world/in-new-york-defiant-ahmadinejad-says-israel-will-be-eliminated-idUSBRE88N0HG/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |work=Reuters |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=September 24, 2012 |title=Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad In His Own Words |url=https://www.adl.org/resources/news/iranian-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-his-own-words}}</ref>

During the 2018 annual Islamic Unity Conference, ex-President [[Hassan Rouhani]], called Israel a "cancerous tumor" and a "fake regime" created by Western powers to serve their interests in the Middle East.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iran's Rouhani calls Israel a 'cancerous tumor' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2018/11/24/irans-rouhani-calls-israel-a-cancerous-tumor-in-rare-outburst |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, then-President [[Ebrahim Raisi]] said he hoped God would "liberate Palestine as soon as possible" and that Iran could "witness the final moments of Israel's existence and celebrate its end."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-11-19 |title=Iranian President Repeats Calls For Rapid End To Israel |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202311194318 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Iran International |language=en}}</ref>

==== Military commanders ====
In 2013, Hojatoleslam Ali Shirazi, representative of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei within the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]] (IRGC), said: "The Zionist regime will soon be destroyed, and this generation will be witness to its destruction."<ref name=":9" /> In 2014, [[Hossein Salami]], then deputy commander of the IRGC, issued a series of aggressive statements against Israel. He threatened direct retaliation "for every drop of blood of our martyrs in Palestine, and this is the beginning point of Islamic nations awakening for your defeat."<ref name=":9" /> In another, he said "the Zionist regime is slowly being erased from the world", and predicted that "soon, there will be no such thing as the Zionist regime on Planet Earth."<ref name=":9" />

In 2014, [[Hossein Sheikholeslam]], then secretary-general of Iran's Committee for Support for the Palestinian [[Intifada]], stated that "the issue of Israel's destruction is important, no matter the method" and warned that "the region will not be quiet so long as Israel exists in it."<ref name=":9" />

In 2015, Hossein Salami declared that Iran would “open new fronts” against Israel and shift the regional balance of power.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Staff |first=ToI |title=Iran vows to attack Israel from West Bank |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-vows-to-attack-israel-from-west-bank/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2019, Hossein Salami, then commander of the IRGC, stated: "This sinister regime must be wiped off the map and this is no longer... a dream (but) it is an achievable goal."<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-09-30 |title=Top Iran General Says Destroying Israel 'Achievable Goal' |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/middle-east_top-iran-general-says-destroying-israel-achievable-goal/6176740.html |access-date=2025-06-14 |website=Voice of America |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Betz |first=Bradford |date=2019-09-30 |title=Iran's top general says wiping Israel off map is an 'achievable goal' |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/irans-top-general-says-wiping-israel-off-map-is-an-achievable-goal |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Fox News |language=en-US}}</ref> Following the Hamas-led [[October 7 attacks]] on Israel in 2023, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) deputy commander-in-chief, [[Ali Fadavi]], said that "the resistance front's shocks against the Zionist regime will continue until this 'cancerous tumor' is eradicated from the world map."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Hafezi |first=Parisa |date=2023-10-17 |title=Iran's Khamenei says Israel must halt assault on Palestinians in Gaza |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-khamenei-says-israeli-officials-should-face-trial-their-crimes-2023-10-17/ |work=Reuters}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Crane |first=Emily |date=2023-10-17 |title=Iran warns Israel if it does not stop Gaza strikes |url=https://nypost.com/2023/10/17/iran-warns-of-another-shockwave-on-israel-if-it-doesnt-stop-gaza-strikes/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2015, former Basij chief and senior RIGC officer, [[Mohammad Reza Naqdi]], stated in an interview that the destruction of Israel is "nonnegotiable". In addition, according to the Times of Israel, Naqdi said that during the summer Gaza conflict with Israel, a significant portion of Hamas’s weaponry, training, and technical expertise was provided by Iran.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |title=Iran militia chief: Destroying Israel is 'nonnegotiable' |url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-militia-chief-destroying-israel-nonnegotiable/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=April 1, 2015 |title=Destroying Israel is 'non-negotiable', says Iran militia chief |url=https://guardian.ng/news/destroying-israel-is-non-negotiable-says-iran-militia-chief/?utm_source=chatgpt.com}}</ref> In 2019, Naqdi made a direct call for the destruction of Israel during a televised interview. Naqdi asserted that the Zionist regime must be "annihilated and destroyed," asserting "This will definitely happen."  He declared his intention to one day raise the flag of the Islamic Revolution over Jerusalem.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Staff |first1=ToI |last2=AP |title=Top Iranian general vows to 'annihilate' Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/top-iranian-general-vows-to-wipe-out-annihilate-israel/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=www.timesofisrael.com |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-03-31 |title=Iranian General Calls Israel's Destruction "Nonnegotiable" |url=http://www.thetower.org/1833-iranian-general-calls-israels-destruction-nonnegotiable/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=The Tower |language=en-US}}</ref>

==== Clerics ====
In 2013, [[Ahmad Alamolhoda]], a prominent Iranian cleric and member of the [[Assembly of Experts]], said the destruction of Israel was "one of the pillars of the Iranian Islamic regime" and said: "We cannot claim that we have no intention of going to war with Israel."<ref name=":9" /> Ayatollah [[Hussein-Ali Montazeri]], once designated as Khomeini’s successor and later a supporter of the reform movement, recalled telling a delegation of reformist parliamentarians that, according to [[Quran 7]], the Jews of Zionism (''yahudiyan-e sahyonizm'') would be afflicted with torment and misery until the [[Judgement Day in Islam|Day of Resurrection]].<ref name=":3">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=127}}</ref> He also cited a 17th-century hadith from ''[[Bihar al-Anwar|Biḥār al-Anwār]]'' in which Imam [[Ja'far al-Sadiq]] is reported to have said three times that those who would ultimately exterminate the Jews (''kasani keh nehayatan yahud ra monqarez mikonand'') would be "the people of [[Qom]]", referring to the Iranian Shi'ite clergy.<ref name=":3" />

In 2010, [[Mohammad Hassan Rahimian]], Khamenei's representative to the [[Mostazafan Foundation]], stated that Iran possesses missile capabilities that would allow it to destroy Israel "in its entirety with a big holocaust."<ref name=":9" /> Ayatollah Mohammad Musavi-e Bojnurdi, a senior jurist known for his association with the reformist [[Iranian Green Movement]], said there was "no room for friendly relations with Israel."<ref name=":3" />

=== Military strategy ===

==== Axis of Resistance ====
{{Further info|Axis of Resistance}}{{See also|Iranian support for Hamas|Iranian support for the Houthis|Iran–Hezbollah relations}}[[File:2023_IRGC_Aerospace_Force_achievements_Exhibition_in_Isfahan_(18).jpg|thumb|The words "[[Death to Israel]]", in Hebrew, on an Iranian Ghadr ballistic missile on display in Isfahan]]
Iran's refers to its strategic alliance with regional non-state actors, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad in the Palestinian territories, and the Houthi movement in Yemen, as the "Axis of Resistance". These groups receive Iranian support in the form of weapons, funding, and training. According to analyst Afshon Ostovar, the aim of this network is to present Israel with a long-term existential challenge by "slowly strangling" it through a series of "increasingly destructive, unwinnable wars."<ref name=":8">{{Cite book |last=Ostovar |first=Afshon |title=Wars of Ambition: the United States, Iran, and the Struggle for the Middle East |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-094098-0 |series= |location=New York, NY |pages=8 |quote=Fifth, the Islamic Republic of Iran’s campaign against Israel is the single most destabilizing conflict in the Middle East, and the one with the greatest potential to cause a broader regional war. The goal of constructing an existential challenge to the State of Israel is the driving motivation behind Iran’s involvement in Lebanon, Syria, Gaza, and the West Bank, and also figures prominently in its support to clients in Iraq and Yemen. Iran has aimed to slowly strangle Israel by keeping it mired in a series of increasingly destructive, unwinnable wars through funneling advanced weaponry and financial backing to groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. That aggression has compelled Israel to pursue a retaliatory campaign. Because of the wide geography where the Iranian–Israeli conflict has played out, and because of the United States’ deep commitments to Israel and correspondingly hostile relations with Iran, an outbreak of open war between Iran and Israel could encompass much of the region and draw in U.S. involvement.}}</ref>

According to Dana H. Allin, Iran has covertly supported [[Palestinian suicide attacks]] targeting Israeli civilians.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Allin |first1=Dana H. |title=The sixth crisis: Iran, Israel, America, and the rumors of war |last2=Simon |first2=Steven |date=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-975449-6 |location=Oxford & New York |pages=34}}</ref> The [[October 7 attacks on Israel]]—which killed approximately 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and saw the kidnapping of [[Gaza war hostage crisis|250 hostages]]—was, at least in part, a product of Iran's strategy.<ref name=":83">{{Cite book |last=Ostovar |first=Afshon |title=Wars of Ambition: the United States, Iran, and the Struggle for the Middle East |date=2024 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-094098-0 |series= |location=New York, NY |pages=18}}</ref> ''[[The Wall Street Journal]]'' cited senior Hamas and Hezbollah members who said the IRGC helped plan the assault and gave the go-ahead during an October 2 meeting in Beirut.<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Said |first1=Summer |last2=Faucon |first2=Benoit |last3=Kalin |first3=Stephen |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008215433/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25 |archive-date=2023-10-08 |access-date=2023-10-22 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref> In the lead-up to the attack, about 500 Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad fighters reportedly received training in Iran under the supervision of the IRGC [[Quds Force]].<ref>{{Cite web |last1=Said |first1=Summer |last2=Lieber |first2=Dov |last3=Faucon |first3=Benoit |date=2023-10-25 |title=WSJ News Exclusive {{!}} Hamas Fighters Trained in Iran Before Oct. 7 Attacks |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-trained-in-iran-before-oct-7-attacks-e2a8dbb9 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231027072813/https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/hamas-fighters-trained-in-iran-before-oct-7-attacks-e2a8dbb9 |archive-date=2023-10-27 |access-date=2023-11-02 |website=WSJ |language=en-US}}</ref> According to ''[[The Washington Post]]'', the attack occurred "with key support from [Iran] who provided military training and logistical help as well as tens of millions of dollars for weapons."<ref name="wapo">{{Cite news |date=October 9, 2023 |title=Hamas received weapons and training from Iran, officials say |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/10/09/iran-support-hamas-training-weapons-israel/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012234730/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national-security/2023/10/09/iran-support-hamas-training-weapons-israel/ |archive-date=October 12, 2023 |access-date=October 22, 2023 |newspaper=The Washington Post}}</ref> Following the [[killing of Yahya Sinwar]],  Hamas leader, in an Israeli operation in mid-October 2024, a new mural appeared in Tehran bearing the message "The storm of Sinwar will continue" in reference to ''Al-Aqsa Storm'', the name Hamas used for its October 7 attacks.<ref name=":84">{{Cite news |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=2024-10-25 |title=Murals in Tehran Offer Tributes and Threats Against Israel |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/10/25/world/middleeast/iran-israel-war-tehran-murals.html |work=The New York Times}}</ref> Iranian foreign minister spokesman [[Nasser Kanaani|Nassar Kanaani]] openly congratulated the Palestinian nation and groups of resistance for the October 7 attack.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Matamis |first=Joaquin |date=2023-10-12 |title=Hamas is Only One of Four Iranian Fronts Against Israel • Stimson Center |url=https://www.stimson.org/2023/hamas-is-only-one-of-four-iranian-fronts-against-israel/ |access-date=2025-06-15 |website=Stimson Center |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Nuclear program ===
The destruction of Israel is frequently cited as one of several strategic objectives behind Iran’s nuclear ambitions.<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Allin |first1=Dana H. |title=The sixth crisis: Iran, Israel, America, and the rumors of war |last2=Simon |first2=Steven |date=2010 |publisher=Oxford University Press |isbn=978-0-19-975449-6 |location=Oxford & New York |pages=24}}</ref> The United States has maintained that a nuclear-capable Iran would likely use its capabilities to attempt the annihilation of Israel.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Sharma |first=Anu |title=Through the looking glass: Iran and its foreign relations |date=2022 |publisher=Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group |isbn=978-1-032-23149-5 |location=London New York, NY |pages=63}}</ref>

=== Missile program ===
Iran has inscribed the [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]] words for ''"Israel must be erased"'' on some of its domestically produced missiles, a number of which have reportedly been [[Iran and the Russian invasion of Ukraine|transferred to Russia]] for use in its [[Russian invasion of Ukraine|invasion of Ukraine]]''.<ref name=":1" />''

=== Propaganda, symbolism, and ideological messaging ===

==== Quds Day ====
{{Main article|Quds Day}}
[[File:روز_جهانی_قدس_در_شهر_قم-_Quds_Day_In_Iran-Qom_City_15.jpg|thumb|Participants in the Quds Day parade in Qom holding a banner quoting Khomeini: "We must all rise up and destroy Israel"]]
Established by Ayatollah Khomeini, [[Quds Day]] (''Ruz-e Qods'', in reference to [[Jerusalem]]) is celebrated annually on the last Friday of [[Ramadan]] and aims to promote Muslim solidarity against Israel.<ref name=":4">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=626}}</ref><ref name="auto"/> Senior clerics, including Ayatollah [[Naser Makarem Shirazi]], have described participation in Quds Day as a form of religious worship (''ebādat''), intended to unite Muslims around the world.<ref name=":4" />

According to an April 2024 report by Iran International, many Iranians see the annual Quds Day event as irrelevant and disconnected from the country's dire social and economic realities.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-04-05 |title=Iranians Criticize Quds Day's Futility And Destructive Impact |url=https://www.iranintl.com/en/202404054687 |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=www.iranintl.com |language=en}}</ref>

In 2017, a [[Palestine Square Countdown Clock|digital clock]] was installed in Palestine Square, [[Tehran]] for Quds Day, reportedly counting down to the destruction of Israel. It was programmed to count down 25 years from a 2015 statement made by Khamenei, in which he predicted that Israel would cease to exist within a quarter century.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2017-06-26 |title=Iranian protesters unveil clock showing 8,411 days until the end of Israel |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/middle-east/iran-al-quds-day-protest-clock-president-hassan-rouhani-a7806056.html |access-date=2025-06-04 |website=The Independent |language=en}}</ref>

==== Holocaust denial ====
Until recently, Iran was the only state whose leadership and institutions openly engaged in [[Holocaust denial]] (and at times justification) as part of official ideology.<ref name=":03"/> This rhetoric served to legitimize calls for the destruction of Israel by denying or minimizing the Holocaust, thereby undermining the historical justification for the state's existence and portraying it instead as a product of Western imperialism.<ref name=":032">{{Citation |last=Litvak |first=Meir |title=Iranian Antisemitism and the Holocaust |date=2017 |work=Antisemitism Before and Since the Holocaust: Altered Contexts and Recent Perspectives |pages=205–229 |editor-last=McElligott |editor-first=Anthony |url=https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-48866-0_9 |access-date=2025-06-16 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |language=en |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-48866-0_9 |isbn=978-3-319-48866-0 |editor2-last=Herf |editor2-first=Jeffrey}}</ref>  [[Mohammad-Ali Ramin]], a close advisor to Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, once stated that "the resolution" of the Holocaust issue would lead to the "destruction of Israel."<ref name=":032" />

==== Conspiracy theories ====
Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei told university students that Israel was created by Western powers with the explicit goal of preventing unity among Muslim states.''<ref name=":6">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=629}}</ref>'' Ayatollah [[Mahmoud Hashemi Shahroudi]], former head of Iran's judiciary, claimed that "racist, anti-human" Zionism has "enslaved all of the world's peoples" and accused Muslim states of cooperating with a Zionist conspiracy of the "Hebrew polity" to divide the Islamic world.''<ref name=":6" />'' Iranian MP [[Emad Afroogh]] alleged that "Jewish rabbis" were responsible for Sheikh [[Yusuf al-Qaradawi]]'s shift away from his previous moderation toward Shi'ites.''<ref name=":6" />'' IRGC Navy Commander [[Alireza Tangsiri]], in 2022, claimed that [[Saudi Arabia|Saudi]] rulers descend from the [[Jews of Medina]] and [[History of the Jews in Khaybar|Khaybar]], enemies of the Prophet [[Muhammad]].''<ref name=":6" />''

Iranian media, including outlets aligned with the reformist faction, have accused Israeli intelligence of making efforts to undermine Shi'ite religious rituals and sow sectarian discord.''<ref name=":5">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=625}}</ref>'' In one 2019 example, [[Mossad]] was alleged to have trained Israeli Jews as ''maddahan'' (ritual eulogists) to infiltrate mourning assemblies in Iran and deliberately mislead audiences into cursing or blaspheming.''<ref name=":5" />''

Between 2011 and 2021, Iranian institutions organized dozens of ideologically driven conferences with provocative titles such as ''"Zionism and the [[SARS]] Disease"'', ''"[[Rwandan genocide|Genocide in Rwanda]] and in [[Palestinian genocide accusation|Gaza]]"'' (where only one speaker addressed Rwanda and the remaining fifteen focused on Gaza), and ''"Judaism and [[Hollywood, Los Angeles|Hollywood]]: A Diabolical Conspiracy"'', showing the regime's effort to link Zionism with global ills.''<ref name=":7">{{Cite book |last=Magen |first=Ze'ev |title=Reading revolutionary Iran: the worldview of the Islamic republic's religio-political elite |date=2023 |publisher=De Gruyter |isbn=978-3-11-101810-2 |series=Studies on Modern Orient |location=Berlin, Boston |pages=207–208}}</ref>'' These events, while often poorly attended, are publicly portrayed as major intellectual gatherings, with state media describing a half-empty auditorium as "standing room only" at a conference titled ''"The Jewish Roots of [[MI6|MI-6]]."<ref name=":7" />''

=== Responses ===
====Academic====
[[Efraim Karsh]], a British–Israeli historian of Middle Eastern politics, has described Iran's posture toward Israel as [[Genocide|genocidal]].<ref name=":0" /> According to American scholar Afshon Ostovar, Iran's campaign against Israel constitutes "the single most destabilizing conflict in the Middle East" and carries "the greatest potential to cause a broader regional war."<ref name=":8" /> American journalist [[Jeffrey Goldberg]] suggests that if Iran acquired nuclear weapons, it would likely intensify its efforts to destroy Israel.<ref name=":9">{{Cite web |last=Goldberg |first=Jeffrey |date=2015-03-09 |title=The Iranian Regime on Israel's Right to Exist |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2015/03/Iranian-View-of-Israel/387085/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> Setareh Sadeghi, a professor at the Faculty of World Studies at the University of Tehran, asserts that "Iran has never called for the elimination of a people, but an occupying regime that has stolen land from others and has been a colonial project of the Zionist entity."<ref>{{cite news |title=Five academics and former diplomats on U.S. strikes, Iran and stability |url=https://www.npr.org/2025/06/27/g-s1-74805/us-iran-israel-academics-diplomats-views-analysis}}</ref>


[[File:Islamic_Republic_of_Iran_Army_Day_2016_(189).jpg|thumb|The words "[[Death to Israel]]" in Persian displayed on a parade celebrating Army Day, 2016]]

According to Ze'ev Magen, ''[[Death to Israel]]'' (''marg bar Esra'il''), along with ''[[Death to America]]'', has been a commonly used slogan by Iranian officials for over a quarter of a century.<ref name=":2" /> Magen suggests the call for the conquest of Jerusalem is portrayed as a unifying ''[[jihad]]'' that could redirect Sunni opposition away from Shi'ite Iran, which positions Iran as the vanguard of global Islamic resistance.<ref name=":4"/>

==== Hardliner support within Iran ====
According to [[Mehdi Khalaji]], a new generation of Iranian hardliners, closely tied to the Supreme Leader and the IRGC, has embraced the regime's doctrines, with many believing that Iran is a rising power, the United States is in decline, and that "Israel’s days are numbered."<ref name=":11" />

==== Opposition within Iran ====
[[Sadegh Zibakalam]], an emeritus professor of political science at the [[University of Tehran]], has frequently spoken out against the regime's aggressive policies. He says that the Iranian public, especially the younger generation, is losing interest in the Palestinian issue and even expressing support for figures like Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump. This support does not stem from alignment with their policies, but rather from opposition to the Iranian regime and its backing of groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Due to his statements, Zibakalam served an 18-month prison sentence and as of March 2025 was under investigation again, potentially facing further imprisonment.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Azizi |first=Arash |date=2025-03-12 |title=The Iranian Dissident Asking Simple Questions |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2025/03/iran-protest-zibakalam-palestine/682006/ |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=The Atlantic |language=en}}</ref> [[Abdollah Nouri]], a prominent cleric and former interior minister, was sentenced to five years in prison in 1999 (making him the most senior Islamic Republic official to be jailed since the revolution) reportedly for, among other charges, openly challenging Khomeini's doctrine that Israel must be obliterated.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Arjomand |first=Said Amir |title=After Khomeini: Iran under his successors |publisher=Oxford University Press |year=2009 |isbn=978-0-19-539179-4 |location=Oxford ; New York |pages=95–96}}</ref>

==== Jewish religious responses ====
Following the 1979 [[Iranian Revolution]], Jewish religious leaders voiced concern over the potential implications of the new Islamic Republic's policies for Israel and Jewish communities in the region. [[Rabbi Menachem Mendel Schneerson]], known as the [[Lubavitcher Rebbe]], described the revolution as a significant turning point in global politics. In public addresses at the time, he warned that Iran's challenge to the [[United States]] would weaken American influence and embolden hostility toward [[Israel]]. The Rebbe also expressed alarm for the safety of the Jewish community in Iran, which then numbered approximately 50,000, and advocated for a communal day of fasting and prayer in response to the escalating crisis.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shamir |first=Shlomo |title=The Israeli Journalist, Iran, and the Rebbe's Vision |url=https://www.chabad.org/therebbe/article_cdo/aid/2608163/jewish/The-Israeli-Journalist-Iran-and-the-Rebbes-Vision.htm |access-date=2025-06-05 |website=Chabad.org}}</ref>

== Gallery ==
<gallery heights="150">
File:2019 Isfahan airbase expo (43).jpg|An Iranian [[Grumman F-14 Tomcat|F-14 Tomcat]] fighter jet on display in Isfahan bearing the slogan "Down with Israel" next to the word "Expired" (2019)
File:2019 Sacred Defence Week exhibition in Mashhad (017).jpg|The slogan "Israel must be wiped off the face of the earth" inscribed on a [[Shahab-2]] missile displayed in [[Mashhad]] (2019)
File:Opening ceremony of Iranian Army Aviation Museum (046).jpg|The phrase "Death to Israel" displayed in four languages (accompanied by a softened English translation reading "Down with Israel") at the Iranian Army Aviation Museum (2019)
File:2019 Sacred Defence Week exhibition in Mashhad (002).jpg|The slogan "Israel will not see more than five years into the future" inscribed on a missile during the Sacred Defense Week exhibition in Mashhad (2019)
File:روز جهانی قدس در شهر قم- Quds Day In Iran-Qom City 12.jpg|Children posing with an [[effigy]] of Israeli Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] during a Quds Day parade in [[Qom]] (2015)
File:Hossein Shariatmadari in Amirkabir University of Technology (2).jpg|[[Hossein Shariatmadari]], editor of the Iranian newspaper ''[[Kayhan]]'', stepping on an Israeli flag at [[Amirkabir University of Technology]] (2015)
</gallery>

==Cooperation==

===Business===
After the overthrow of the Shah in 1979, most oil companies left Iran and the Iranian government had major difficulties selling oil in the international markets. In the meantime, [[Marc Rich]], an Israeli-Swiss businessman with international ties, began doing business in Iran through his [[Glencore]] company headquartered in Switzerland. Rich ignored US and international sanctions on Iran and became the primary trader of Iranian oil for 15 years.<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=uzdWTBytwAIC&q=Marc%20Rich&pg=PA330 ''The New Encyclopedia of American Scandal''], George C. Kohn, Infobase Publishing, 2001, page 330</ref> He claimed that the oil he bought from Iran was shipped to Israel and both countries were aware of this transaction.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/business/.premium-1.532365 Marc Rich, the Man Who Sold Iranian Oil to Israel], ''[[Haaretz]]'', 27 June 2013</ref> Rich provided the Iranian government with weapons and missiles through the Iran–Iraq War. For his actions, the United States government found him guilty of more than 65 counts of criminal offenses including money laundering and violating sanctions on Iran.<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2013/jun/26/marc-rich-commodities-trader-fugitive-dies Marc Rich: controversial commodities trader and former fugitive dies aged 78], ''[[The Guardian]]'', 26 June 2013</ref>

In 1998, the ''[[Seattle Times]]'' reported that pistachio makers in California were unhappy about the fact that Israel imported most of its pistachio from Iran. The head of Iran-China economic room, [[Asadollah Asgaroladi]] said in the article that such transactions are easily possible. Based on the article [[Israel]] imports only a quarter of pistachios from US and about half of its pistachios from [[United Kingdom|Britain]] and [[Germany]], whereas these two countries are not producers of pistachio at all and the source is very likely to be from [[Iran]]. Furthermore, in 1998 Israeli government punished the Hamama Brothers Co. for illegally importing 105 tonnes of pistachio from Iran.<ref>[https://archive.seattletimes.com/archive/19980206/2732873/irans-pistachio-sales-in-israel-drive-us-farmers-nuts Iran's Pistachio Sales In Israel Drive U.S. Farmers Nuts], ''[[Seattle Times]]'', 6 February 1998</ref> Israeli newspaper Ynet reported in 2007 that US government once again asked the Israeli government to stop importing pistachios from Iran.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3473915,00.html|title=US asks Israel to stop importing pistachio from Iran|work=ynet|date=21 November 2007|access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar }}</ref> In 2008 US ambassador to Israel, Richard H. Jones wrote a letter to Israel's finance minister Ronnie Bar-on demanding Israel to stop importing Iranian pistachios from Turkey.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3555682,00.html|title=US envoy slams Israel over 'illegal importation of pistachios from Iran'|work=ynet|date=15 June 2008|access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Barnea |first1=Nahum }}</ref> Similar reports have been published by Haaretz.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/u-s-demands-israel-crack-down-on-illegal-iranian-pistachio-imports-1.233710 U.S. Demands Israel Crack Down on Illegal Iranian Pistachio Imports], ''[[Haaretz]]'', 21 November 2007</ref>

In 1998, Israeli businessman [[Nahum Manbar]] was sentenced to 16 years in prison in Israel for doing business with [[Tehran]], and in the course of the investigation, "hundreds of companies" were found to have illegal business dealings with Iran.<ref name="cnn_trial">{{cite news |title=Israel gripped by swirl surrounding treason trial |url=http://articles.cnn.com/1998-07-16/world/9807_16_israel.treason_1_prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-nahum-manbar-amnon-zichroni?_s=PM:WORLD |newspaper=CNN |date=16 July 1998 |access-date=26 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120809134818/http://articles.cnn.com/1998-07-16/world/9807_16_israel.treason_1_prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu-nahum-manbar-amnon-zichroni?_s=PM:WORLD |archive-date=9 August 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The fall-out reached the United States as some transactions were alleged to have been part of the [[Iran–Contra affair]]. A controversy over Israeli-Iranian business links erupted in mid-2011. Israeli company [[Ofer Brothers Group]] was subject to U.S. sanctions after it was revealed that it sold ships to Iran via a third party, and that its ships also docked at Iranian ports.<ref>{{cite news |title=13 ships owned by Israel's Ofer Brothers have docked in Iran over past decade |first1=Dafna |last1=Maor |first2=Ora |last2=Coren |first3=Yossi |last3=Melman |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/national/13-ships-owned-by-israel-s-ofer-brothers-have-docked-in-iran-over-past-decade-1.364733 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref> The US government cleared it from the list three months later.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/u-s-drops-israel-s-ofer-brothers-company-from-iran-sanctions-list-1.384252|title=U.S. Drops Israel's Ofer Brothers Company From Iran Sanctions List|magazine=Haaretz|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> In 2006 Israeli newspaper ''Haaretz'' reported the [[Paz Oil Company|Israeli refinery Paz]] reportedly purchases crude oil coming from Iran. The article reported that the oil from Iran arrives to Israel through a port in Rotterdam.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1142586|title=הקשר האיראני של אהוד אולמרט וקונדוליזה רייס|work=הארץ|date=4 October 2006|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Another article in ''Haaretz'' in the same year reported that the Israeli energy minister Benjamin Ben Eliezer said: "Every attempted contact with an enemy state that serves Israeli business and economic interests, strengthens the stability of the region." And the Israeli foreign ministry said that it was not their business to look into the sources of oil.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.co.il/misc/1.1142340|title=פז נכנסת לנעלי דור-אלון: על סף חתימת הסכם לזיקוק נפט עבור הרשות הפלשתינית|work=הארץ|date=3 October 2006|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

''[[Ynet]]'' reported that Israeli–Iranian trade, conducted covertly and illegally by dozens of Israeli companies, totals tens of millions of dollars a year. Much of this trade is conducted through a third country. Israel supplies Iran with fertilizer, irrigation pipes, hormones for milk production, seeds, and fruit; Iran, meanwhile, provides Israel with marble, cashews, and pistachios.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel-Iran trade ties thriving |first=Ofer |last=Petersburg |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4075900,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=31 May 2011 |access-date=27 July 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Iran in uproar over 'Israeli fruit' |first=Dudi |last=Cohen |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4075331,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=29 May 2011 |access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Israeli cherries sold in Iranian markets |first=Thamar E. |last=Gindin |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4248223,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=27 June 2012 |access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref>

In April 2009 a large batch of oranges carrying stickers of an Israeli company were distributed in the Iranian market. Based on the investigations the oranges were imported from Dubai.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mardomsalari.com/template1/News.aspx?NID=52889|title=پرتقال هاي اسرائيلي در بازار ايران|access-date=18 May 2016|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160605091633/http://mardomsalari.com/template1/News.aspx?NID=52889|archive-date=5 June 2016}}</ref> In December 2011 Bloomberg reported that most of the filtering equipment currently in use in Iran were bought from an Israeli company called Allot Communications. The system called NetEnforcer allows the government to monitor any device that is connected to the internet. The devices were shipped to Denmark, where the original packaging was removed and replaced with fake labels.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-12-23/israel-didn-t-know-high-tech-gear-was-sent-to-iran-via-denmark.html|title=Israel Didn't Know Tech Gear Was Sent to Iran Via Denmark|author=Ben Elgin|date=23 December 2011|publisher=Bloomberg.com|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> Al-Monitor reported in 2013 that the Iranian government asked Israeli experts to visit the earthquake stricken areas in the province of Sistan in 2006. Based on the report the Israeli experts spent the passover of 2006 in Iran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/04/ariel-sharon-khamenei-iran-israel-ties.html|title=Was Ariel Sharon Israel's Secret Channel to Iran? – Al-Monitor: the Pulse of the Middle East|date=22 April 2013 |publisher=Al-Monitor|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/iran/showNews/id/6062|title=World Jewish Congress|author=World Jewish Congress|access-date=18 May 2016|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160610032630/http://www.worldjewishcongress.org/en/iran/showNews/id/6062|archive-date=10 June 2016}}</ref>

===Military relations===

====Pre-revolution====
Israel was involved in the arming of Iran during the Pahlavi dynasty:
* Project "Flower" Tzur (see also [[Project Flower]]), a joint collaboration between Iran and Israel, aimed to develop a "state-of-the-art sea-to-sea missile, an advanced version of the U.S. Harpoon missile, with a range of 200 kilometers".<ref>Ronen Bergman, "5 billion Reasons to Talk to Iran," ''[[Haaretz]]'' (Tel Aviv), 19 March 1999; in "Israel's Outstanding Debt to Iran Viewed," FBIS Document FTS19990319001273, 19 March 1999.</ref>
* Israeli Defense Minister General [[Ezer Weizmann]] and Iranian Vice Minister of War General [[Hassan Toufanian]] discussed the co-production of Israel's Jericho-2 missile, code named Project Flower.<ref>"Minutes from Meeting Held in Tel Aviv between H. E. General M. Dayan, Foreign Minister of Israel, and H.E. General H. Toufanian, Vice Minister of War, Imperial Government of Iran," Top Secret Minutes from Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 18 July 1977, in [[Digital National Security Archive]]</ref>

====Khomeini era====
{{See also|Israeli support for Iran during the Iran–Iraq war}}
''[[The Observer]]'' estimated that Israel's arms sales to Iran during the [[Iran–Iraq War]] totaled US$500 million annually,<ref>{{cite journal |last=Hunter |first=Jane |date=November 1986 |title=Israeli Arms Sales to Iran |journal=Washington Report on Middle East Affairs |page=2 |publisher=American Educational Trust |url=http://www.washington-report.org/component/content/article/94/685-israeli-arms-sales-to-iran.html |access-date=25 September 2012}}</ref> and [[Time (magazine)|''Time'']] reported that throughout 1981 and 1982, "the Israelis reportedly set up Swiss bank accounts to handle the financial end of the deals".<ref>{{cite news |title=From Many Strands, a Tangled Web |first1=Jacob V. |last1=Lamar Jr. |first2=Roland |last2=Flamini |first3=Johanna |last3=McGeary |first4=William |last4=McWhirter |url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963021,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080408171452/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,963021,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=8 April 2008 |newspaper=Time |date=8 December 1986 |access-date=28 July 2012}}</ref><ref>(For more on Israeli Hawk missile sales to Iran see Richard Johns, "Arms Embargo Which Cannot Withstand The Profit Motive," ''[[Financial Times]]'' (London), 13 November 1987)</ref>

According to the report of the U.S. Congressional Committees Investigating the [[Iran–Contra affair]] issued in November 1987, "the sale of U.S. arms to Iran through Israel began in the summer of 1985, after receiving the approval of President Reagan".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/US-Israel/Iran_Contra_Affair.html |title=The Iran-Contra Affair |work=Jewish Virtual Library |publisher=American-Israeli Cooperative Enterprise |access-date=28 July 2012}}</ref> These sales included "2,008 [[BGM-71 TOW|TOW]] missiles and 235 parts kits for Hawk missiles had been sent to Iran via Israel". Further shipments of up to US$2 billion of American weapons from Israel to Iran consisting of 18 F-4 fighter-bombers, 46 Skyhawk fighter-bombers, and nearly 4,000 missiles were foiled by the [[U.S. Department of Justice]], and "unverified reports alleged that Israel agreed to sell Iran Sidewinder air-to-air missiles, radar equipment, mortar and machinegun ammunition, field telephones, M-60 tank engines and artillery shells, and spare parts for C-130 transport planes".{{citation needed|date=April 2024}} Israeli arms deals to Iran continued after the [[Iran–Iraq War]], although sporadically and unofficially.<ref>{{cite journal |year=1996 |title=Israel: Manbar Reveals More Weapons Deals with Iran |journal=The Risk Report |volume=2 |issue=4 |publisher=Wisconsin Project on Nuclear Arms Control |url=http://www.wisconsinproject.org/countries/israel/Israel-manbar-iran.html |access-date=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120504190142/http://www.wisconsinproject.org/countries/israel/Israel-manbar-iran.html |archive-date=4 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://fas.org/news/iran/1998/980716-iran.htm |title=Israel/Iran |date=16 July 1998 |publisher=Voice of America |access-date=28 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120505055113/http://www.fas.org/news/iran/1998/980716-iran.htm |archive-date=5 May 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.wrmea.org/1998-september/what-israels-top-secret-manbar-trial-reveals-about-extensive-ongoing-israeli-arms-dealing-with-ira.html|title=What Israel's Top-Secret Manbar Trial Reveals About Extensive, Ongoing Israeli Arms Dealing With Ira|website=WRMEA|date=11 January 2010 }}</ref>

==Disputed issues==
{{Main|Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}

===Iranian funding of Hamas and Hezbollah===
{{further|Axis of Resistance}}
{{See also|Iran–Palestine relations|Iran–Lebanon relations}}
Iran provides political and financial support and weapons to [[Hamas]],<ref>{{cite news |title=Cyprus: Ship violated UN resolutions |url=http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=131214|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=30 January 2009 |access-date=24 July 2012}}</ref> an organization committed to the destruction of Israel by Jihad.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://avalon.law.yale.edu/20th_century/hamas.asp|title=The Avalon Project : Hamas Covenant 1988|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> According to [[Mahmoud Abbas]], [[President of the Palestinian National Authority]]: "Hamas is funded by Iran. It claims it is financed by donations, but the donations are nothing like what it receives from Iran."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.realite-eu.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=9dJBLLNkGiF&b=2315291&ct=9378199|title=Hamas Signs Deal With Fatah, But Its True Partner Is Iran|access-date=24 February 2012|archive-date=28 November 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111128052748/http://www.realite-eu.org/site/apps/nlnet/content3.aspx?c=9dJBLLNkGiF&b=2315291&ct=9378199|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.memri.org/report/en/0/0/0/0/0/0/3860.htm|title=Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud 'Abbas: No To Violence, Terrorism, Gunfire, or Military Intifadapublisher=MEMRI – The Middle East Media Research Institute|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

Iran has also provided support to [[Hezbollah]], another enemy of Israel, with substantial amounts of funding, training, weapons, explosives, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid while persuading Hezbollah to take an action against Israel.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://jcpa.org/article/iran-killing-senior-hizbullah-irgc-officials-israels-destruction|title=Iran: "Killing of Senior Hizbullah and IRGC Officials Will Hasten Israel's Destruction"|publisher=Lt. Col. (ret.) Michael Segall, Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs (JCPA)|date=21 January 2015|access-date=29 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="In the Party of God">{{cite news|author=Jeffrey Goldberg |url=https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2002/10/14/021014fa_fact4?currentPage=4|title=IN THE PARTY OF GOD Are terrorists in Lebanon preparing for a larger war?|magazine=[[The New Yorker]] |date=14 October 2002|access-date=3 March 2007}}</ref><ref name="fund">{{Cite web|url=http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/148262|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919112340/http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/148262|url-status=dead|title=Iran Massively Rearming Hezbollah in Violation of UN Security Council Resolution, American Chronicle, 28 March 2010|archivedate=19 September 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/10300.pdf|title=Background Information on Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations}}</ref> Hezbollah's 1985 manifesto listed its four main goals as "Israel's final departure from Lebanon as a prelude to its final obliteration"<ref name="norton">{{Cite book|last=Norton|first=Augustus|author-link=Augustus Richard Norton|title=Amal and the Shi'a: the struggle for the Soul of Lebanon|location=Austin|publisher=University of Texas Press|isbn=0-292-73040-3|year=1987|pages=167–87}}</ref> According to reports released in February 2010, Hezbollah received $400 million from Iran.<ref name="fund"/>

===Nuclear program of Iran===
{{Further|Nuclear program of Iran}}

====Iran threatening Israel====
{{See also|Mahmoud Ahmadinejad and Israel#Calls for destruction of Israel}}
[[File:روز جهانی قدس در شهر قم- Quds Day In Iran-Qom City 14.jpg|thumb|[[Quds Day]] demonstration in Qom, Iran|left]]
The [[nuclear program of Iran]] with its potential to develop [[nuclear weapon]]s, together with the anti-Israel rhetoric of the President, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, and his desire for "the regime occupying Jerusalem" to "vanish from the pages of time", has led many Israelis to expect an eventual attack from Iran.<ref>Greenblum, Benjamin M. "The Iranian Nuclear Threat: Israel's Options under International Law", p. 3</ref><ref>{{cite video|last=Barany|first=Ronen|date=28 January 2012 |script-title=he:היום האחרון |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5T5CF1jhTg |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/c5T5CF1jhTg |archive-date=21 December 2021 |url-status=live|language=he, en|trans-title=The Last Day|access-date=26 July 2012}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

In May 2012, Iran's Military Chief of Staff declared: "The Iranian nation is standing for its cause and that is the full annihilation of Israel."<ref>[https://news.yahoo.com/iran-committed-full-annihilation-israel-says-top-iranian-033409439.html "Iran committed to 'full annihilation of Israel,' says top Iranian military commander"], ''The Daily Caller'', 21 May 2012.</ref>

In August 2012, Brigadier General Gholam Reza Jalali, who heads Iran's Passive Defense Organization, said ahead of Al-Quds Day that Israel must be destroyed, saying: "[Al-Quds Day] is a reflection of the fact that no other way exists apart from resolve and strength to completely eliminate the aggressive nature and to destroy Israel."<ref name="JPost disappear map">{{cite web |url=http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=281366 |title=Khamenei: The Zionist regime will disappear from the map |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=15 August 2012 |author1=Keinon, Herb |author2=Paraszczuk, Joanna }}</ref><ref name="Senior Iranian official">{{cite web | url=http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=281345 | title=Senior Iranian official threatens Israel with destruction | work=The Jerusalem Post | date=15 August 2012 | access-date=15 August 2012 |author1=Keinon, Herb |author2=Parazczuk, Joanna }}</ref><ref name="Yedioth Ahronot AP Reza">{{cite news |title=Iranian general: Israel must be destroyed |first=Dudi |last=Cohen |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4268920,00.html |newspaper=Ynetnews |date=15 August 2012 |access-date=23 September 2012}}</ref>

In August 2012, a senior cleric and Tehran's provisional Friday Prayers Leader Ayatollah Ahmad Khatami, speaking about [[Qods Day]], said the spread of the "Islamic Awakening" in the Middle East "heralds annihilation of the Zionist regime".<ref name="Fars Khatami Ahmad">{{cite web |url=http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9104253955 |title=Senior Cleric: Regional Revolutionary Nations Able to Annihilate Zionist Regime |publisher=Fars News Agency |date=13 August 2012 |access-date=14 August 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120813093635/http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=9104253955 |archive-date=13 August 2012}}</ref>

Iran's repeated threats against Israel, particularly in 2012, led [[Canada]], an ally of Israel, to close its embassy in Iran on 7 September 2012, and give Iranian diplomats five days to leave.

On 21 September 2012, at a military parade in Iran to mark the beginning of the [[Iran–Iraq War]], and in which a new air defense system was unveiled, [[Amir Ali Hajizadeh]], the Iranian air force chief, said that should a conflict between Iran and Israel break out, Israel would "manage the beginning of the war, but the response and end would be in our hands, in which case the Zionist entity would cease to exist. The number of missiles launched would be more than the Zionists could imagine."<ref name="Haji">{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-will-cease-to-exist-if-it-attacks-iranian-air-force-chief-says/|title=Israel will 'cease to exist' if it attacks, Iranian air force chief says|work=The Times of Israel|date=21 September 2012|access-date=22 September 2012|author=Goldman, Yoel}}</ref>

On 22 September 2012, General Mohammad Ali Jafari, the commander of the Iranian [[Revolutionary Guards]], said that eventually a war with Israel would break out, during which Iran would eradicate Israel, which he referred to as a "cancerous tumor".<ref name="War with cancer">{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/war-with-cancerous-tumor-israel-will-eventually-happen-says-iranian-general/|title=War with 'cancerous tumor Israel' will eventually happen, says Iranian general|work=The Times of Israel|date=22 September 2012|access-date=22 September 2012 |author=Goldman, Yoel}}</ref>

On 23 September 2012, Hajizadeh threatened to attack Israel and trigger World War III, saying that "it is possible that we will make a pre-emptive attack" which would "turn into World War III". He threatened to attack American bases in the Middle East as well, and said that as a result of this attack, Israel would "sustain heavy damage and that will be a prelude to its obliteration".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/iranian-general-threatens-pre-emptive-strike-against-israel/|title=Iranian general threatens pre-emptive strike against Israel|work=The Times of Israel|date=23 September 2012|access-date=23 September 2012|author=Davidovitch, Joshua}}</ref> On the same day, Deputy Commander of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards Brigadier General [[Hossein Salami]] said that while Iran isn't concerned by Israeli "threats" to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, such an attack would be "a historic opportunity for the Islamic Revolution to wipe them off the world's geographic history".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4285130,00.html|title=Iranian Iran: Strike a chance to wipe Israel off map|work=Yedioth Ahronot|date=23 September 2012|access-date=23 September 2012|author=Cohen, Dudi}}</ref>

On 2 October 2012, Hojjat al-Eslam Ali Shirazi, the representative of Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei to the Iranian [[Qods Force]], alleged that Iran required only "24 hours and an excuse" in order to eradicate Israel. Shirazi alleged that Israel was "close to annihilation" and sought to attack Iran out of desperation.<ref name="24 hours">{{cite web| url=http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=286360|title=To annihilate Israel we need 24 hours, an excuse|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=2 October 2012|access-date=4 October 2012|author=Paraszczuk, Joanna}}</ref>

Iran's actions, nuclear program, and threats have been viewed by [[Gregory Stanton]], the founder and director of [[Genocide Watch]], as having taken six of eight steps on the "path to genocide". He urged the international community to take action against Iran and to isolate it, in order to "curb its genocidal intent". He said "one of the best predictors of genocide is incitement to genocide" and that believes this is "exactly what Iran is doing today". [[Incitement to genocide]] is a crime under international law. He stressed that it is important not to dismiss "the early signs" as "diabolical rhetoric or as a tactic meant to advance a different goal", and doing so would "enable the perpetrators". He said Iran has classified and symbolized Israel via hate speech and an ideology of exclusion, and has dehumanized Israel by portraying potential victim as "cancer" that should be wiped out. In addition, Stanton said that Iran has organized "fanatical militas", such as the [[Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps]], while stifling dissent in Iranian society.  He added that by denying a previous genocide, the [[Holocaust]], by working on [[weapons of mass destruction]], and through global terrorism, Iran has prepared for genocide.<ref name="Stanton">{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/genocides-unlike-hurricanes-are-predictable-says-world-expert-and-iran-is-following-the-pattern/|title=Genocides, unlike hurricanes, are predictable, says world expert. And Iran is following the pattern|work=The Times of Israel|first=Mitch|last=Ginsburg|date=18 September 2012|access-date=19 September 2012}}</ref>

In January 2013, Iran warned that any Israeli attack on Syria would be treated the same as an attack on Iran.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.haaretz.com/blogs/east-side-story/why-did-israel-attack-syria-now-and-why-did-the-syrians-admit-it.premium-1.500708|title=Why did Israel attack Syria now, and why did the Syrians admit it?|work=Haaretz|first=Amos|last=Harel|date=1 February 2013|access-date=21 August 2022}}</ref> After Israel attacked Syria, Iran simply stated that Israel would "regret this recent aggression".<ref>[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-syria-crisis-israel-iran-idUSBRE9130BJ20130204 "Iran says Israel will regret Syria air strike."] Reuters, 4 February 2013</ref>

In March 2015, the commander of the [[Basij]] militia of Iran's Revolutionary Guards said that "erasing Israel off the map is not negotiable".<ref>[http://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-militia-chief-destroying-israel-nonnegotiable/ "Iran militia chief: Destroying Israel is 'nonnegotiable'"] ''Times of Israel'', 31 March 2015</ref>

On 6 June 2023, IRGC unveiled [[Fattah (missile)]], an Iranian hypersonic medium-range ballistic missile with a range of 1400&nbsp;km and a terminal speed of Mach 13-15.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wintour |first1=Patrick |title=Iran's claims to have created hypersonic missile alarm Israel |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jun/06/iran-claims-to-have-created-long-range-hypersonic-missile-fattah |website=[[The Guardian]] |date=6 June 2023}}</ref> Iran also claimed that this missile can strike Israel within 400 seconds and avoid the most advanced anti-ballistic missile systems of the United States and Israel, including Israel's Iron Dome.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Hafezi |first1=Parisa |title=Iran presents its first hypersonic ballistic missile, state media reports |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-unveils-its-first-hypersonic-ballistic-missile-state-media-reports-2023-06-06/ |website=[[Reuters]] |date=6 June 2023}}</ref>

====Israel threatening Iran====
In November 2003 a Scottish newspaper claimed that Israel "warned that it is prepared to take unilateral military action against Iran if the international community fails to stop any development of nuclear weapons at the country's atomic energy facilities".<ref name="scotsisrael">{{cite news|title=Israel threatens strikes on Iranian nuclear targets |url=http://www.scotsman.com/news/international/israel-threatens-strikes-on-iranian-nuclear-targets-1-1296289|newspaper=The Scotsman|date=23 November 2003|access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> It cited then Israeli defence minister [[Shaul Mofaz]] stating "under no circumstances would Israel be able to tolerate nuclear weapons in Iranian possession". In December 2005, a British newspaper claimed that the Israeli military had been ordered by then [[Prime Minister of Israel|Israeli Prime Minister]] [[Ariel Sharon]] to plan for possible strikes on [[uranium enrichment]] sites in Iran in March 2006, based on Israeli intelligence estimates that Iran would be able to build nuclear weapons in two to four years. It was claimed that the special forces command was in the highest stage of readiness for an attack (state ''G'') in December of the following year. Ariel Sharon reportedly said, "Israel – and not only Israel – cannot accept a nuclear Iran. We have the ability to deal with this and we're making all the necessary preparations to be ready for such a situation."<ref name="mahnaimi">[http://www.newstrust.net/survey/stories/samples_dec05/report_degraded.htm Israel readies forces for strike on nuclear Iran] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120915124855/http://newstrust.net/survey/stories/samples_dec05/report_degraded.htm |date=15 September 2012 }}</ref> Israeli military Chief of Staff, [[Dan Halutz]], answered how far Israel was ready to go to stop Iran's nuclear energy program: "Two thousand kilometers."<ref name="fthalutz">{{cite web|url=http://www.uruknet.info/?p=19081|title=uruknet.info :: informazione dal medio oriente :: information from middle east :: [vs-1]|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> [[Seymour Hersh]] says [[United States Department of Defense|U.S. Department of Defense]] civilians led by [[Douglas Feith]] ''have been working with Israeli planners and consultants to develop and refine potential nuclear, chemical-weapons, and missile targets inside Iran.''<ref name="seymourhershone">[https://www.newyorker.com/archive/2005/01/24/050124fa_fact?currentPage=all Annals of National Security: The Coming Wars] ''The New Yorker'', 24 January 2005</ref>

On 8 May 2006, then Israeli Vice Premier [[Shimon Peres]] said in an interview with [[Reuters]] that "the president of Iran should remember that Iran can also be wiped off the map", Army Radio reported.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peres says that Iran 'can also be wiped off the map' |url=http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2006/5/8/13207/Peres-says-that-Iran-can-also-be-wiped-off-the-map |newspaper=Dominican Today |date=8 May 2006 |access-date=26 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120717084638/http://www.dominicantoday.com/dr/world/2006/5/8/13207/Peres-says-that-Iran-can-also-be-wiped-off-the-map |archive-date=17 July 2012 }}</ref> Peres, a Nobel Peace Prize laureate, drew unusually stiff criticism from an analyst on Israel's state television, Yoav Limor, for talking of destroying another country.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3248543,00.html|title=Peres: Iran nuclear policy could backfire|work=ynet|date=8 May 2006|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref> In May 2006, IDF Chief of Staff Dan Halutz stated that Iran's nuclear facilities can be destroyed, hinting at a possible plan to do just that.<ref>{{cite news|title=Peres Shifts World Attention to Iran |first=Yechiel|last=Spira|url=http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/News.aspx/103296|newspaper=Arutz Sheva|date=9 May 2006 |access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> In September 2007, Israel [[Operation Orchard|repeated its policy]] concerning the development of nuclear capacity by its potential enemies. [[Shabtai Shavit]], a former chief of the [[Mossad]], said Iranian atomic facilities could be destroyed within a year, but has not ruled out going that direction. [[Isaac Ben Israel|Isaac Ben-Israel]], a former general of the [[Israeli Air Force]], said an attack could be carried out at any time but only as a last resort.<ref name=spiegel/> Iran's [[Shahab-3]] missile exercises were conducted in early July demonstrating that Israel was within reach.

According to ''the New York Times'', Israel sought help from the United States for a military attack against Iran.<ref name="nytimes_request">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/11/washington/11iran.html?_r=1&scp=1&sq=israel%20iran&st=cse|work=The New York Times|first=David E.|last=Sanger|title=U.S. Rejected Aid for Israeli Raid on Iranian Nuclear Site|date=11 January 2009}}</ref> Israel reportedly asked for bunker-busting bombs for an attack on Iran's main nuclear complex and for permission to fly over Iraq to reach Iran's major nuclear complex at Natanz. The Bush administration rejected the requests. According to the article, White House officials never conclusively determined whether Israel had decided to go ahead with the strike before the United States protested, or whether Prime Minister Ehud Olmert of Israel was trying to goad the White House into more decisive action before President Bush left office.<ref name="nytimes_request"/>

On 27 July 2009, Israel's Defence Minister [[Ehud Barak]] during a press conference with [[Robert Gates]], the US Defense Secretary, in [[Jerusalem]], warned [[Iran]] that a military strike on its nuclear facilities was still an option: "We clearly believe that no option should be removed from the table. This is our policy; we mean it. We recommend to others to take the same position, but we cannot dictate it to anyone."<ref>[https://archive.today/20120707083828/http://articles.nydailynews.com/2009-07-27/news/17929827_1_nuclear-weapon-iranian-nuclear-threat-prime-minister-benjamin-netanyahu Israeli Defense Minister Barak to U.S.: 'No option' off table on Iran]</ref> The same day, Israel's Ambassador to US, [[Gabriela Shalev]], during a special [[UN Security Council]] session held to discuss the situation in the [[Middle East]], called Iran the "biggest supporter of terrorism. The Islamic Republic's [[Nuclear weapon|nuclear]] program and its support of terrorism pose a threat to the entire Middle East."<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel: Iran the biggest supporter of terrorism|first=Shlomo|last=Shamir |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/israel-iran-the-biggest-supporter-of-terrorism-1.280820|newspaper=Haaretz|date=27 July 2009 |access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref>

In 2010, [[Gabi Ashkenazi]] and [[Meir Dagan]] balked at [[Benjamin Netanyahu]]'s preparations for a strike on Iran.<ref>Cohen, Gili. [http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/israel-s-security-chiefs-rejected-orders-to-prepare-for-iran-strike-in-2010.premium-1.475102?localLinksEnabled=false " 'Israel's security chiefs rejected orders to prepare for Iran strike in 2010'."] ''Haaretz'', 4 November 2012.</ref>

On 5 November 2012, Israel's Prime Minister [[Benjamin Netanyahu]] reiterated his willingness to mount a unilateral attack on Iran's nuclear facilities even without US support.<ref>Rudoren, Jodi. [https://www.nytimes.com/2012/11/06/world/middleeast/netanyahu-uses-tough-tone-on-possible-iran-strike.html "Netanyahu Says He'd Go It Alone on Striking Iran"] ''The New York Times'', 5 November 2012.</ref>

In 2013, retiring defense minister Ehud Barak said that though it would be very difficult for Israel to operate alone, that Obama had ordered the Pentagon to prepare detailed plans for an American strike on Iran.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/27/world/middleeast/defense-official-hints-that-israel-is-stepping-back-from-plans-to-unilaterally-attack-iran.html|title=Israeli Official Hints Pentagon Plans May Make Lone Strike on Iran Unnecessary |date=27 January 2013|work=The New York Times|access-date=18 May 2016}}</ref>

Netanyahu said in September 2013 that President [[Hassan Rouhani]] is trying to acquire a nuclear weapon, and that his perception as a moderate makes him a "wolf in sheep's clothing".<ref>{{cite news|last=Watkins|first=Tom|title=Netanyahu: Iranian president is 'wolf in sheep's clothing'|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/10/01/world/meast/israel-netanyahu-iran/index.html|publisher=CNN|access-date=1 October 2013|date=2 October 2013}}</ref>

In January 2014, during a plenary session at the 9th [[World Economic Forum]] in [[Davos]] [[Switzerland]], the [[President of Israel]] [[Shimon Peres]] said in response to a question about the threat of Iran's nuclear program that "Iran is not an enemy", and there are no historical hostilities between the two countries. In that regard he added: "I don't see a reason to spend so much money in the name of hatred".<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/Diplomacy-and-Politics/WATCH-LIVE-Peres-honored-at-Davos-World-Economic-Forum-339166 Peres honored at Davos World Economic Forum.] ''The Jerusalem Post'' 24 January 2014. Retrieved 27 January 2014.</ref>
[[File:Explosions in different areas of Tehran following the June 13 2025 attack by Israel (Mizan 2nd batch) 31.jpg|thumb|Residential building in Tehran damaged during [[June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran|Israeli strikes on Iran]], 13 June 2025]]
In May 2018, it was revealed that Prime Minister Netanyahu had ordered the [[Mossad]] and military in 2011 to prepare for an attack on Iran within 15 days of receiving the order.<ref name=haaretz2018>{{cite news| newspaper = Haaretz | title = Ex-Mossad Chief Says He Questioned Legality of Netanyahu's Order to Prepare Iran Strike | date =  31 May 2018 | url = https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/ex-spy-chief-questioned-legality-of-pm-s-order-to-prepare-iran-strike-1.6135972}}</ref> According to Mossad chief [[Tamir Pardo]], Netanyahu backed off after he and Chief of Staff [[Benny Gantz]] questioned Netanyahu's legal right to give such an order without Cabinet approval.<ref name=haaretz2018/>

On 29 May 2022, Israeli Prime Minister warned that Iran will not go unpunished for inspiring assaults through its proxies.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iranian 'immunity' is over, Israeli Prime Minister Bennett says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israeli-pm-bennett-says-iranian-immunity-is-over-2022-05-29/ |access-date=30 May 2022 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

On 27 June 2022, Israeli Defense Minister Benny Gantz indicated that Israel will cooperate with world powers to influence any agreement that might result from Iran's nuclear negotiations.<ref>{{cite news |title=Israel to work with world powers to shape any Iran nuclear deal, defense minister says |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/israel-work-with-world-powers-shape-any-iran-nuclear-deal-gantz-2022-06-27/ |access-date=3 July 2022 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |date=27 June 2022}}</ref>

====Speculation====
On 26 May 2006, then Russian Defense Minister [[Sergei Ivanov]] reiterated Moscow's commitment to supply Iran with sophisticated anti-aircraft missiles. Lockheed Martin Executive Vice President of F-35 Program Integration Tom Burbage indicated that once Israel has the F-35 it need not fear the [[S-300 (missile)|S-300]].<ref>[http://www.upi.com/Security_Industry/2009/01/20/Can-the-US-F-35-fighter-destroy-Russias-S-300-systems/UPI-39001232464740/ Can the U.S. F-35 fighter destroy Russia's S-300 systems?] UPI, 20 January 2009</ref>

In June 2008, Israel conducted a major military exercise that American officials speculated might be training for a bombing attack on Iran. A senior Pentagon official said one of the goals of the exercise was to send a clear message to the United States and other countries that Israel was prepared to act militarily: "They wanted us to know, they wanted the Europeans to know, and they wanted the Iranians to know", the Pentagon official said. "There's a lot of signaling going on at different levels."<ref name='NYTE'>{{cite news|title=U.S. Says Israeli Exercise Seemed Directed at Iran|date=20 June 2008|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/glogin?URI=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/20/washington/20iran.html&OQ=_rQ3D1&OP=22d3b0ecQ2FQ2Az_ZQ2AQ5C@Q3AhO@@f1Q2A1cc-Q2AclQ2A1cQ2AzQ60hQ3B)Tdf@TQ2A1c)OQ60TYQ3BfQ26P|access-date=23 June 2008|first1=Michael R.|last1=Gordon|first2=Eric|last2=Schmitt}}</ref>

The Bush administration did agree to sell a thousand GBU-39 standoff bunker penetrating bombs to Israel, but a strike against Natanz would require hundreds of these bombs.<ref>{{cite news|title=Israel slated to buy US smart bombs |first=Yaakov|last=Katz |url=http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=114342|newspaper=The Jerusalem Post|date=14 September 2008 |access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref>

In a 2009 interview, American diplomat [[John Bolton]] argued that the Iran–Israel relationship had deteriorated to the point that it might be "wise" for Israel to preemptively attack Iran's nuclear research facilities. To destroy the facilities, while not a permanent solution to ending Iran's nuclear ambitions, he argued, might delay the progress of Iranian nuclear research for long enough that regime change could occur before the development of a nuclear weapon took place. He cited as an example the case of the [[Apartheid in South Africa|apartheid government of South Africa]], which renounced its efforts to pursue nuclear weapons after [[Nelson Mandela]]'s government came to power.<ref name=DailyShow>{{cite web|last=Stewart|first=Jon|title=John Bolton interview|url=http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-july-29-2009/john-bolton|work=The Daily Show|publisher=Comedy Central|access-date=27 June 2013|date=29 July 2009}}</ref>

In April 2009, Army General [[David Petraeus]] said "the Israeli government may ultimately see itself so threatened by the prospect of an Iranian nuclear weapon that it would take preemptive military action to derail or delay it".<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a6m8Gjlv2Njs |first=Tony|last=Capaccio|newspaper=Bloomberg |title=Petraeus Says Israel Might Choose to Attack Iran|date=1 April 2009|access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> On 17 September 2009, [[Ze'ev Elkin]] said that the delivery by Russia of S-300 missiles may prompt Israel to strike Iran.<ref>[https://translate.google.com/translate?js=y&prev=_t&hl=en&ie=UTF-8&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kommersant.ru%2Fdoc.aspx%3Ffromsearch%3Dfcfe63d2-c3e2-488f-9a5e-96910ab425bf%26docsid%3D1238501&sl=auto&tl=en&history_state0=Continue nuclear program and supply of S-300 from Russia can bring the Israeli attack on Iran] ''Kommersant''</ref> In June 2010 Russia voted for UN sanctions to prevent the S-300 missile sale.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?ID=178178|title=Russia: Sanctions ban S-300 missiles|work=The Jerusalem Post|agency=Associated Press|date=11 June 2010|access-date=21 August 2022}}</ref>

Iran consistently claimed that its nuclear program is purely for civilian purposes, and that it has no intention of ever utilizing its peaceful nuclear program to develop nuclear weapons. During the course of Iran's recent history, specifically during the Iran-Iraq war, Iran has experienced significant outages of its commercial electricity grid. Iran has also continuously claimed that it intends to ultimately export part of the electricity produced by its nuclear reactors to its regional neighbors, as a way of diversifying its mainly oil-based economy to more diversified revenue streams.

German Defense Minister [[Thomas de Maiziere]] said in 2012 that an Israeli attack would be unlikely to succeed.<ref>[http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/germany-israeli-military-strike-on-iran-unlikely-to-succeed-1.412501?localLinksEnabled=false "Germany: Israeli military strike on Iran unlikely to succeed."] ''Haaretz''. 12 February 2012.</ref>

====Iran responding to Israeli threats====
[[File:Friday_of_"Anger_and_Victory"_-_Tehran_-_Avash_10.jpg|thumb|Protest in Tehran against [[June 2025 Israeli strikes on Iran|Israeli strikes on Iran]], 20 June 2025]]
Iran's former foreign minister, [[Manouchehr Mottaki]] declared that Israel was not capable of an attack and still recovering from the 2006 war in Lebanon.<ref name=spiegel>{{cite news|url=http://www.spiegel.de/politik/ausland/atom-konflikt-iran-warnt-israel-vor-angriff-auf-nuklearanlagen-a-562823.html|title=Iran warnt Israel vor Angriff auf Nuklearanlagen|newspaper=Der Spiegel|language=de|date=29 June 2008|access-date=26 July 2012}}</ref> The Iranian Chief of the [[Revolutionary Guards]], [[Mohammad Ali Jafari]] said Israel was within the reach of Iranian missiles and Iran would close the [[Strait of Hormuz]], cutting off two-fifths of the global [[oil supply]].<ref name=spiegel/> Iran has the capability to close the Strait of Hormuz or impede traffic for a month or more, and any U.S. attempts to reopen it could escalate the conflict.<ref>[http://belfercenter.ksg.harvard.edu/publication/18409/closing_time.html Closing Time: Assessing the Iranian Threat to the Strait of Hormuz, International Security journal, Harvard Kennedy School] Belfer Center</ref>

On 7 February 2010, Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah [[Ali Khamenei]] said the destruction of Israel was assured. According to the ''[[Tehran Times]]'', he told [[Palestinian Islamic Jihad]] leader [[Ramadan Abdullah Shallah]], "Israel is going downhill toward decline and fall and God willing its obliteration is certain". Khamenei went on to call Israel "a symbol of atrocity, viciousness, and ugliness", and said the West's "support for the Zionist regime is ineffective".<ref>[http://www.jpost.com/IranianThreat/News/Article.aspx?id=168066 'Israel's obliteration is certain'], ''Jerusalem Post'' 7 February 2010</ref> Former Iranian President Ahmadinejad's chief of staff, Esfandiar Rahim Mashaei, said that if Israel attacked Iran it would be destroyed within a week.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3891781,00.html|title=Iran says can destroy Israel in week|work=ynet|date=20 May 2010|access-date=18 May 2016|last1=Cohen |first1=Dudi }}</ref>

On 24 June 2022, Iran claimed that Yair Lapid's [[2022 Istanbul terror plot|allegations of an Iranian conspiracy]] to assassinate Israelis in Istanbul were "ridiculous" and intended to sour relations between Iran and Turkey.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran: Israeli accusation of Iranian plot to harm Israelis in Istanbul 'ridiculous' |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-israeli-accusation-iranian-plot-harm-israelis-istanbul-ridiculous-2022-06-24/ |access-date=27 June 2022 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |date=24 June 2022}}</ref>

On 15 July 2022,  the Iranian military cautioned Israel and the US not to use force against Iran: “The Americans and Zionists know very well the price for using the word 'force against Iran'." State media cited Brigadier General [[Abolfazl Shekarchi]], spokesman for the Iranian armed forces.<ref>{{cite news |title=Iran's military warns U.S. against threats to use force |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/irans-military-warns-us-against-threats-use-force-2022-07-15/ |access-date=18 July 2022 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |publisher=Reuters}}</ref>

In response to Israel's 2025 attack on Iran, Iranian diplomats have denied accusations that Iran presents an "existential threat" to Israel, stating that any action they take is a defensive response to Israeli attacks, and criticising the Israeli concept of "pre-emptive self-defence".<ref>{{cite web | title=Foreign Affairs Committee Oral evidence: The Iran-Israel conflict, HC 1081 | website=Committees | date=2025-06-17 | url=https://committees.parliament.uk/oralevidence/16103/html/ |quote= Iran has not started any war. The so-called existential threat narrative is false. It has no legal basis. | access-date=2025-06-30}}</ref>

== Normalization process ==

=== Public support ===
In October 2024, Stasis, a [[Washington, D.C.|Washington]]-based organization focused on statistics related to Iran and its civil society, found out that, when asked about the statement "Iran should normalize its relationship with Israel", 64% answered "Completely disagree", 19% "Completely agree", 6% "Somewhat agree", 3% "Somewhat disagree" and 8% "I don't know" or refused to answer.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Iranians are in favor of normalizing a diplomatic relationship with the USA and support a nuclear deal |url=https://surveycenter.io/projectfuture/survey3_iran_foreign_policy/en/?active-question=13 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241108053915/https://surveycenter.io/projectfuture/survey3_iran_foreign_policy/en/?active-question=13 |archive-date=8 November 2024 |website=Stasis}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ghafouri |first=Arash |date=17 October 2024 |title=New polling highlights Iranians' views on Iran's foreign policy and regional role |url=https://mei.edu/publications/new-polling-highlights-iranians-views-irans-foreign-policy-and-regional-role |website=[[Middle East Institute]] |quote=Although Iranians support normalizing Iran-US relations, they do not back the normalization of Iran-Israel relations. Just a quarter of respondents are in favor of this idea, compared to 67 percent who reject it.}}</ref>

==See also==
{{Portal|Iran|Israel|Politics}}
* [[Foreign relations of Iran]]
* [[Foreign relations of Israel]]
* [[History of the Jews in Iran]]
* [[Iranian Jews in Israel]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
{{Refbegin}}
* Abbasov, Namig, and Emil A. Souleimanov. "Azerbaijan, Israel, and Iran: An Unlikely Triangle Shaping the Northern Middle East." ''Middle East Policy'' 29.1 (2022): 139-153. https://doi.org/10.1111/mepo.12611
*{{cite book|last=Alavi|first=Seyed Ali|year=2019|title=Iran and Palestine: Past, Present, Future|publisher=[[Routledge]]}}
* Bakhash, Shaul. "Iran's Relations with Israel, Syria, and Lebanon." in ''Iran at the Crossroads'' (Routledge, 2019) pp.&nbsp;115–128.
* Beck, Martin. "The aggravated struggle for regional power in the Middle East: American allies Saudi Arabia and Israel versus Iran." ''Global Policy'' 11.1 (2020) pp: 84-92.
* {{cite journal |last1=Cohen |first1=Ronen A. |last2=Lev |first2=Tzvi |title=A Triangle of Interests: Azerbaijan, Iran and Israel |journal=Iran and the Caucasus |date=2021 |volume=25 |issue=1 |pages=74–89  |doi=10.1163/1573384X-20210108 |s2cid=236630765  |issn=1573-384X}}
* Hadar, Maya. "From Allies to Enemies; Putting the Israeli-Iranian Conflict in Historical Context." in ''Instrumentalizing the Past'' (De Gruyter, 2022) pp.&nbsp;213–230. https://doi.org/10.1515/9783110769791
* Holliday, Shabnam J. "Populism, the international and methodological nationalism: Global order and the Iran–Israel nexus." ''Political Studies'' 68.1 (2020): 3-19. [https://scholar.google.com/scholar?output=instlink&q=info:9c69WKgNqJcJ:scholar.google.com/&hl=en&as_sdt=0,27&as_ylo=2019&scillfp=18331560069519575686&oi=lle online]
* {{cite journal |last1=Kashani-Sabet |first1=Firoozeh |title=On Shaky Ground: Iran between Israel and Pan-Arabism, 1930s–1970s |journal=Middle Eastern Studies |date=2023 |volume=59 |issue=6 |pages=950–967 |doi=10.1080/00263206.2023.2165490|s2cid=256891994 }}
* Kaye, Dalia Dassa, and Shira Efron. "Israel’s evolving Iran policy." ''Survival'' 62.4 (2020): 7-30. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/00396338.2020.1792095 online]
* {{cite book|url=http://www.jcpa.org/text/ahmadinejad2-words.pdf|title=What Iranian Leaders Really Say about Doing Away with Israel|first=Joshua|last=Teitelbaum|year=2008|publisher=[[Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs]]|location=[[Jerusalem]]|isbn=978-965-218-065-0|oclc=273327634|access-date=24 February 2012|archive-date=27 November 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171127060644/http://www.jcpa.org/text/ahmadinejad2-words.pdf|url-status=dead}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Relations of Iran and Israel}}
* [https://archive.today/20250307060937/https://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/iran-and-israel Iran and Israel] at the [[United States Institute of Peace]]
* {{Iranica|israel-relations-with-iran}}
* [http://mfa.gov.il/MFA/ForeignPolicy/Iran/Pages/default.aspx Iran] at the [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Israel)|Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs]]

{{Foreign relations of Iran}}
{{Foreign relations of Israel}}
{{Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}
{{Jews and Judaism in Iran}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Iran-Israel relations}}
[[Category:Iran–Israel relations| ]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of Iran|Israel]]
[[Category:Bilateral relations of Israel]]
[[Category:Jews and Judaism in Persia and Iran]]