1. Was Iran always an enemy of Israel?
Surprisingly, no. Before 1979, Iran and Israel were actually close allies. Under the rule of the Shah (Mohammad Reza Pahlavi), Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognize Israel’s sovereignty. They traded oil, collaborated on military technology, and shared a common pro-Western outlook.
2. What changed in 1979?
The Iranian Revolution completely inverted this relationship. When the Shah was overthrown and replaced by the Islamic Republic under Ayatollah Khomeini, the new regime adopted a radical anti-Western and anti-Zionist ideology.
- The Labels: The United States was branded the “Great Satan,” and Israel was dubbed the “Little Satan.” * The Justification: The new leadership viewed Israel as an “illegitimate” colonial outpost of the West that had “usurped” Islamic land.
3. What are the ideological reasons for the hate?
- Leadership of the Islamic World: Iran is a Shia-led nation. By positioning themselves as the primary defenders of the Palestinian cause (who are mostly Sunni), the Iranian leadership seeks to prove they are the true leaders of the entire Muslim world (the Ummah), transcending the Shia-Sunni divide.
- Anti-Imperialism: The Iranian regime views the existence of Israel as a remnant of Western imperialism. They believe that for the Middle East to be truly “free,” Western influence—specifically the “Zionist entity”—must be removed.
- Exporting the Revolution: Part of Iran’s foundational goal since 1979 is to export its brand of Islamic governance to neighboring countries. Israel is seen as the primary physical and ideological barrier to this expansion.
4. How does Iran fight Israel today?
Because a direct, full-scale war is devastatingly costly, Iran primarily uses the “Proxy Doctrine.” They fund, train, and arm various groups surrounding Israel to create a “Ring of Fire.”
- Hezbollah in Lebanon
- Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza
- The Houthis in Yemen
- Militias in Syria and Iraq
5. What is the Biblical and Prophetic Perspective?
From a scriptural standpoint, many students of prophecy look at the ancient name for Iran: Persia.
- The Ancient Hatred: Some see this as a continuation of the “ancient hatred” mentioned in Ezekiel 35:5, though that specifically referred to Edom, the principle of perpetual enmity against the children of Israel remains a recurring theme.
- Ezekiel 38: This is the most cited prophecy regarding this tension. It describes a future coalition of nations led by “Gog” that will come against Israel. Persia (Iran) is explicitly listed as a primary member of this alliance (Ezekiel 38:5).
- The King of the South/North: Students of Daniel 11 often analyze the geopolitical shifts in the region to see how modern-day Iran fits into the “time of the end” conflicts between regional powers.
The Verdict: The hostility is not merely over land; it is a clash of worldviews. Iran views Israel as a theological and political obstacle to an Islamic-led Middle East, while Scripture suggests this tension is a precursor to larger prophetic events involving ancient Persia.