Israel-Iran Conflict: Background and India’s Stance

Context: Iran launched drones and missiles towards Israel after vowing retaliation for a deadly strike on its consulate in the Syrian capital Damascus.

Iran’s Attack on Israel

• Iran launched a significant military assault against Israel, which included more than 300 drones and missiles.
• This attack was unprecedented as it marked the first time Iran directly targeted Israeli territory.
• The Iranian military claimed that the assault achieved its intended goals.
• Reasons for the Attack:
  • Iran stated that the attack was retaliation for an Israeli strike on an Iranian diplomatic compound in Damascus, Syria.
  • In that earlier strike, several military advisors, including two top generals, were killed.
  • The Iranian regime viewed the Israeli attack as a violation of its sovereignty and felt compelled to respond

Israel-Iran Conflict: Background

• Early Relations and Periphery Doctrine: Iran established diplomatic ties with Israel in 1948, following the first Arab-Israeli war, becoming the second Muslim-majority country after Turkey to do so.
  • Israel’s “periphery doctrine,” under Prime Minister David Ben Gurion, aimed to build alliances with non-Arab countries in the Middle East, including Turkey and pre-revolution Iran.
  • These countries shared a Western orientation and faced regional isolation.
• Pahlavi Dynasty and Bilateral Ties: Under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran had strong S. support similar to Israel.
  • During this period, Iran and Israel maintained robust bilateral relations, including Iran selling oil to Israel despite the Arab economic boycott.
• 1979 Islamic Revolution and Its Aftermath: The overthrow of the Shah in 1979 led to the establishment of a religious state in Iran, drastically changing its view on Israel, which it then viewed as an occupier of Palestinian lands.
  • Ayatollah Khomeini, Iran’s Supreme Leader, labelled Israel as “Little Satan” and the United States as “Great Satan,” indicating adversarial relations due to perceived interference in the region.
• Regional Dynamics and Iran’s Position: Iran’s non-Arab identity placed it at odds with Gamal Abdel Nasser’s pan-Arabism.
  • However, post-Nasser, Iran’s relations with Arab states like Egypt warmed somewhat, highlighted by the 1975 accord with Iraq that reduced hostilities.
• Shadow War Post-1979: Although Israel and Iran have not engaged in direct military conflicts, both have engaged in a shadow war through proxies and strategic attacks.
  • Israel has conducted several attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities and was implicated along with the U.S. in creating the Stuxnet virus, which targeted Iran’s Natanz nuclear facility.
  • Iran supports militant groups like Hezbollah and Hamas, which are anti-Israel and anti-U.S.

Who Are Iran’s Allies?

• Syria:
  • Iran’s most significant ally in the region.
  • Supported Bashar al-Assad’s government in Syria alongside Russia, helping it endure the country’s long civil war.
• Hezbollah:
  • Iran backs Hezbollah, a powerful armed group in Lebanon.
  • Engages in frequent cross-border exchanges with Israel since the conflict with Hamas escalated.
  • Resulting in the displacement of civilians from both sides of the border.
• Iraqi Shia Militias:
  • Iran supports several Shia militias in Iraq.
  • These militias have launched attacks on US bases across Iraq, Syria, and Jordan.
  • Retaliatory strikes by the US occurred after three American soldiers were killed in Jordan.
• Yemen’s Houthi Movement:
  • Iran provides support to the Houthis who control Yemen’s most populous areas.
  • The Houthis have launched missiles and drones at Israel and attacked commercial shipping near their shores, including sinking at least one vessel.
  • In response, the US and UK have conducted strikes against Houthi targets.
• Palestinian Armed Groups:
  • Supplies weapons and training to groups like Hamas.
  • Iran’s support contributed indirectly to the current war in Gaza, initiated by Hamas’ attacks on Israel on October 7, though Iran denies involvement in the specific October 7 attack itself.

India’s Stance

India maintains diplomatic relationships with both Iran and Israel, carefully balancing its regional interests.

Relations with Israel

• India recognized Israel in 1950, with full diplomatic relations established in 1992.
• Israel provides India with advanced technologies and expertise, particularly in agriculture.
• Israel is a major arms supplier to India, reinforcing strong defence and security ties.
• The Joint Committee on S&T, established under the 1993 S&T Cooperation Agreement, oversees India-Israel cooperation in science and technology.
• Approximately 85,000 Jews of Indian origin live in Israel, all holding Israeli passports.

Relations with Iran

• Diplomatic ties with Iran were also established in 1950.
• Iran has been a key supplier of crude oil to India, although this has been impacted by international sanctions.
• In 2018, India and Iran signed an agreement to avoid double taxation and prevent fiscal evasion regarding income taxes.
• Both countries share concerns over terrorism emanating from Pakistan and Afghanistan, and the situation with the Taliban.
• India is a popular destination for Iranian tourists, with about 40,000 visitors annually.
• India supports the Chabahar port project in Iran, which is vital for India’s access to Afghanistan and Central Asia, circumventing Pakistan.

What Happens Next?

• Iran knows it crossed a line when it became the first nation state in West Asia to launch an attack on Israel since the 1991 Gulf War, which means its objective was to demonstrate its capabilities.
• Iran knows Israel is likely to retaliate and if Israel directly hits Iran, it cannot just walk away from the conflict.
• This shows that the latest attack is Iranians’ way of telling Israel that it is ready for an open war.

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