This article dives into the complex layers of religious, political, and regional dynamics that transformed the relationship between Tehran and Tel Aviv.

1. Iran and Israel: No Natural Hostility

Iran and Israel do not share a border. Nor have they historically fought over land or water. In fact, the root of their conflict isn't territorial at all. It is deeply tied to sectarian and geopolitical shifts in the Muslim world.

2. Sectarian Divide: Shia vs. Sunni

Most Palestinians, who are Israel’s immediate adversaries, are Sunni Muslims. Ironically, Sunni groups have often regarded Shia Muslims, like those in Iran, with hostility. The Shia-Sunni divide is not just theological—it’s historical, bloody, and centuries old.

Originally, Iran had a Sunni majority. That changed drastically when a Safavid monarch forcibly converted—or slaughtered—Sunni populations to establish a Shia theocracy. Shia Muslims became a persecuted minority across the Sunni-dominated Islamic world, which shaped Iran’s strategic insecurities and ambitions.

3. Iran’s Strategic Imperative: Expand Shia Influence

Today, Iran sees its survival tied to expanding Shia influence across the region. This explains its support for Hezbollah in Lebanon and the Houthis in Yemen—both Shia-aligned militias hostile to Israel. As a result, Iran finds itself increasingly opposed to Israel, not because of direct conflict, but due to proxy alliances.

4. The Turning Point: The 1979 Islamic Revolution

The downfall of the pro-Western Shah and the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini marked a seismic shift. Khomeini famously labeled the U.S. as the "Great Satan" and Israel as the "Little Satan," severing diplomatic ties and pledging eternal resistance against Zionism.

From this point, Iran's foreign policy became rooted in ideological resistance, especially against Western-backed regimes, including Israel.

5. Israel’s Counter-Narrative: Guardian Against Iran

In response, Israel began appealing to Sunni Arab states with a new narrative: "We are fighting Iran so you don’t have to." Israel positioned itself as a frontline defender against Shia expansionism, aligning covertly and overtly with nations like Saudi Arabia and the UAE.

This pragmatic alignment has shifted the balance of power in the region, with Israel finding new Sunni allies against their mutual adversary: Iran.

6. Azerbaijan: Israel’s Strategic Outpost

One of the more overlooked alliances is between Israel and Azerbaijan—a Shia-majority country. Despite religious commonality with Iran, Azerbaijan maintains strong military and economic ties with Israel, including leasing airbases potentially useful for strikes against Iran. This unique relationship hints at how complex and non-linear alliances in the Middle East can be.

To Be Continued in Part 2...

In the next part, we’ll explore how Iran’s nuclear ambitions, U.S. sanctions, and fluctuating oil diplomacy under the Biden and Trump administrations escalated tensions—and why Israel sees Tehran’s atomic aspirations as an existential threat.