Iran–Israel proxy conflict

The conflict is bound in the political struggle of Iranian leadership against Israel and the counter aim of Israel to prevent alleged nuclear weapons from the Iranian government and downgrading its allies and proxies such as Hezbollah party in Lebanon . Iranian forces are operating in Syria in support of Bashar al-Assad's government. Israel is providing medical treatment for rebels in Syria. Israel and Syria have observed a truce since Israel seized most of the Golan Heights in the 1967 war, but the Syrian Civil War , which began in 2011, has led to several incidents of fire exchange across the once-peaceful borders. 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 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. Iran, in contact with the U.S. over the fight against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria has said that Israel would be at risk if the U.S. and its coalition sought to topple Assad. Hezbollah’s October 7, 2014 attack on Israeli forces, its first declared such operation since 2006, proved the seriousness of the threat. Though the Islamic Republic of Iran has been known for its anti-Israeli stance from the very beginning, its continuous support for Hezbollah evolved into almost a direct confrontation with Israel, as Revolutionary Guards have allegedly infiltrated Lebanon and directly supported Hezbollah during the past decade. The Hamas-dominated Gaza had also been considered a proxy of Iran. The New York Review of Books . Both parties enjoyed warm ties since 2006 when Hamas won an election against the Western-backed Fatah movement. But the crisis in Syria has led to problems between them. In 2014 “First among which is the Islamic Republic of Iran which did not skimp on money, weapons and other things and provided the resistance with rockets." Abu Ubaidah, the spokesman of the Palestinian Al-Qassam Brigades: "(2006–present) [2] "Palestinian Islamic Jihad" . Council on Foreign Relations . The Guardian . 11 July 2012 . [4] "Azerbaijan granted Israel access to air bases on Iran border" . [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12] [13] Bell, John; Zada, John (10 November 2011).

The conflict is bound in the political struggle of Iranian leadership against Israel and its declared aim to dissolve the Jewish state, with the counter aim of Israel to prevent nuclear weapons being acquired by the Iranian government and downgrading its allies and proxies such as the Lebanese Hezbollah political- militant organization. The conflict gradually emerged from Iran's hostile stance toward Israel following the Iranian Revolution 1979, into covert Iranian support of Hezbollah during the South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000) and by 2005 developed into a proxy regional conflict. In 2006, Iran was actively involved in supporting Hezbollah during the 2006 Lebanon War and in parallel began supporting Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. Israel, on the other hand, initiated a campaign to harm the Iranian nuclear program, utilizing several anti-regime militias within Iran. Upon the onset of the Syrian Civil War , the conflict escalated and by 2018 turned into direct Iranian-Israeli warfare . Key issues in the conflict include Iran's support of groups opposing Israel, Israel's support of anti-Iranian rebel groups, Iran's nuclear program , and Israel's ties with other rivals of Iran such as Saudi Arabia and the United States. The involvement of both countries in the Syrian Civil War has created additional possibilities for direct conflict between the two states. Iran has provided significant support to Hezbollah Hamas and PIJ , whereas Israel has supported the People's Mujahedin of Iran and has conducted assassinations and attacks against Iranian targets directly. Israel has also conducted cyber warfare against Iran, and has publicly advocated for international military action against Iran. Israel has accused Iran of attempting to form a continuous land transport route from Iran via Iraq and Syria to Lebanon, which Israel views as a significant strategic threat. Iran views Israel as an illegitimate " Zionist regime " and its leadership has accused Israel of being an American client state hostile to Muslims. The New York Review of Books . Iran's annual financial aid to Hamas is believed to be around $20 million, which helps the group run its government in the Gaza Strip. Both parties enjoyed warm ties since 2006 when Hamas won an election against the Western-backed Fatah movement. But the crisis in Syria has led to problems between them. Council on Foreign Relations . "هنية لخامنئي: سنجهض مؤامرة طاغوت العصر ترامب وحكّام النفاق للقضاء على القضية الفلسطينة" [Haniyeh: We will thwart the conspiracy of the Trump era and the rulers of hypocrisy to eliminate the Palestinian cause]. An Iranian Writer Travels the Jewish State as the Cold War Between Israel and Iran Gets Hot" . Israel and Iran have been urged to step back from the brink after their most serious direct confrontation, with Israeli missiles being fired over war-torn Syria in a "wide-scale" retaliatory attack many fear could drag the foes into a spiralling war. The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran: Hawks in Israel and America Have Spent More than a Decade Agitating for War Against the Islamic Republic’s Nuclear Program. Tibayan Cultural and Informational Institute .

In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict , Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah . In the Israeli-Palestinian conflict , Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas . Israel has supported Iranian rebels, such as the People's Mujahedin of Iran , conducted airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria , assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists , and directly attacked Iranian forces in Syria . In 2024 the proxy war escalated to a series of direct confrontations between the two countries, and in June 2025, the Iran–Israel war began, involving the United States . Motivated by the periphery doctrine , Imperial Iran and Israel had close relations , seeing Arab powers as a common threat. After the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran cut off relations, but covert ties continued during the subsequent Iran–Iraq War . Iran trained and armed Hezbollah to resist the Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon , and continued to back Shia militias throughout the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon . Even before 1979, Iranian Islamists had materially supported the Palestinians; after 1979 Iran attempted relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization , and later with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006 . Israel has fought several wars with Palestinians in and around the Gaza Strip : in 2008–2009 , 2012 , 2014 , 2021 and since 2023 . The 1982 Lebanon War and Gaza war have been the deadliest wars of the Arab–Israeli conflict . Various reasons have been given for the Iran–Israel conflict. Iran and Israel had previously enjoyed warm ties due to common threats, but by the 1990s the USSR had dissolved and Iraq had been weakened . Iranian Islamists have long championed the Palestinian people , whom they perceive as oppressed. Scholars believe that by supporting the Palestinians, Iran seeks greater acceptance among Sunnis and Arabs, both of whom dominate the Middle East . At times, Iran has supported the one-state and the two-state solution as a response to the plight of Palestinians , while the country has also used more inflammatory language to predict Israel's demise . Israel sees Iran as an existential threat. Israel has accused Iran of harboring genocidal intentions, while Iran has accused Israel of conducting a genocide in Gaza . Consequently, Israel has sought sanctions and military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons . News outlets expressed how Iranian proxy militias stayed largely silent and left Iran "isolated in war" during the 2025 war with Israel. The New York Review of Books . 51 (7). Iran's annual financial aid to Hamas is believed to be around $20 million, which helps the group run its government in the Gaza Strip. Both parties enjoyed warm ties since 2006 when Hamas won an election against the Western-backed Fatah movement. But the crisis in Syria has led to problems between them. Council on Foreign Relations . The Times of Israel . "The Huseynyun: Iran's new IRGC-backed movement in Azerbaijan" . 9 October 2021. FDD's Long War Journal . 16 September 2020 . Israel 'giving secret aid to Syrian rebels', report says: Direct funding, food, fuel and medical supplies allegedly provided by Israeli state to keep Isis and Iranian-allied forces in neighbouring civil war at bay The Independent, 19 June 2017. The Times of Israel . "Opponents say Netanyahu's decision to arm "clans in Gaza" to help fight Hamas will come back to haunt Israel" . "More than 100 Iranian drones have been intercepted by US, UK outside Israel, says defense official" . The Times of Israel . The Wall Street Journal . "A new front in the Middle East: Militants battle Palestinian Authority in sprawling refugee camp" . The New York Times . The New York Times . An Iranian Writer Travels the Jewish State as the Cold War Between Israel and Iran Gets Hot" . Israel and Iran have been urged to step back from the brink after their most serious direct confrontation, with Israeli missiles being fired over war-torn Syria in a "wide-scale" retaliatory attack many fear could drag the foes into a spiralling war. The strategic factors driving such collaboration in the past—Nasserism, the Soviets, and Iraq—are no longer present today. How Might it be Resolved? • Stimson Center" . The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran: Hawks in Israel and America Have Spent More than a Decade Agitating for War Against the Islamic Republic's Nuclear Program.

In the Israeli–Lebanese conflict , Iran has supported Lebanese Shia militias, most notably Hezbollah . In the Israeli–Palestinian conflict , Iran has backed Palestinian groups such as Hamas . Israel has supported Iranian rebels, conducted airstrikes against Iranian allies in Syria , assassinated Iranian nuclear scientists , and directly attacked Iranian forces in Syria . In 2024 the proxy war escalated to a series of direct confrontations between the two countries, and in June 2025, they fought a 12-day war , involving the United States . In 2026, Israel and the United States again engaged in another conflict against Iran in the 2026 Iran war , which caused series of spillovers in Iranian strikes on Arab countries and the 2026 Strait of Hormuz crisis . Motivated by the periphery doctrine , Imperial Iran and Israel had close relations , seeing Arab powers as a common threat. After the 1979 Islamic revolution, Iran cut off relations, but covert ties continued during the subsequent Iran–Iraq War . Iran trained and armed Hezbollah to resist the Israel's 1982 invasion of Lebanon , and continued to back Shia militias throughout the Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon . Even before 1979, Iranian Islamists had materially supported the Palestinians; after 1979 Iran attempted to form close relations with the Palestine Liberation Organization , and later with Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas. Israel fought a war with Hezbollah in 2006 . Israel has fought several wars with Palestinians in and around the Gaza Strip : in 2008–2009 , 2012 , 2014 , 2021 and since 2023 . The 1982 Lebanon War and Gaza war have been the deadliest wars of the Arab–Israeli conflict . Various reasons have been given for the Iran–Israel conflict. Iran and Israel had previously enjoyed warm ties due to common threats, but by the 1990s the USSR had dissolved and Iraq had been weakened . Iranian Islamists have long championed the Palestinian people , whom they perceive as oppressed. Scholars believe that by supporting the Palestinians, Iran seeks greater acceptance among Sunnis and Arabs, both of whom dominate the Middle East . At times, Iran has supported the one-state and the two-state solution as a response to the plight of Palestinians , while the country has also used more inflammatory language to predict Israel's demise . Israel sees Iran as an existential threat. Israel has accused Iran of harboring genocidal intentions, while Iran has accused Israel of conducting a genocide in Gaza . Consequently, Israel has sought sanctions and military action against Iran to stop it from acquiring nuclear weapons . News outlets expressed how Iranian proxy militias stayed largely silent and left Iran "isolated in war" during the 2025 war with Israel. The New York Review of Books . 51 (7). Iran's annual financial aid to Hamas is believed to be around $20 million, which helps the group run its government in the Gaza Strip. Both parties enjoyed warm ties since 2006 when Hamas won an election against the Western-backed Fatah movement. But the crisis in Syria has led to problems between them. Council on Foreign Relations . The Times of Israel . "The Huseynyun: Iran's new IRGC-backed movement in Azerbaijan" . 9 October 2021. FDD's Long War Journal . 16 September 2020 . Israel 'giving secret aid to Syrian rebels', report says: Direct funding, food, fuel and medical supplies allegedly provided by Israeli state to keep Isis and Iranian-allied forces in neighbouring civil war at bay The Independent, 19 June 2017. The Times of Israel . "Opponents say Netanyahu's decision to arm "clans in Gaza" to help fight Hamas will come back to haunt Israel" . Carnegie Endowment for International Peace . Israel and Iran have been urged to step back from the brink after their most serious direct confrontation, with Israeli missiles being fired over war-torn Syria in a "wide-scale" retaliatory attack many fear could drag the foes into a spiralling war. The strategic factors driving such collaboration in the past—Nasserism, the Soviets, and Iraq—are no longer present today. How Might it be Resolved? • Stimson Center" . The Secret History of the Push to Strike Iran: Hawks in Israel and America Have Spent More than a Decade Agitating for War Against the Islamic Republic's Nuclear Program. The New York Times . There are <ref group=lower-alpha> tags or templates on this page, but the references will not show without a template or template (see the help page ).