In the 1960s, Israel and Iran, two nations that are currently adversaries, once cooperated against a common enemy. At that time, Iraq posed a threat to both countries for different reasons. Israel was engaged in a broader struggle with hostile Arab regimes, while Iran, under the rule of Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, viewed Iraq as a significant danger to its regional ambitions and security.
This shared perception led to secret collaboration between the two nations, with the help of the United States. Mossad, Israel’s intelligence agency, and SAVAK, Iran’s secret police, worked together to support Kurdish insurgents in Iraq. These Kurdish forces played a pivotal role in undermining the Iraqi government, which was seen as a central pillar of Arab nationalism in the region.
This cooperation blossomed further into an intelligence-sharing alliance known as Trident, which also involved Turkey. The intelligence collaboration lasted for years, strengthening the military and strategic ties between Israel and Iran. For Iran, the relationship with Israel was more than just a temporary partnership—it was a potential pathway to better relations with the West, particularly the United States. By the mid-1960s, Israel even established a permanent delegation in Tehran.
However, this relationship faced challenges, especially after the 1967 Six-Day War when the Shah had to balance the growing anti-Israel sentiment in the Arab world with Iran’s strategic interests. Despite the public distance the Shah maintained from Israel, the covert operations and military cooperation continued.
Things changed drastically in 1979 with the Islamic Revolution in Iran. Ayatollah Khomeini came to power, and the country transformed into an Islamic Republic, officially opposing Israel. Nonetheless, Iran and Israel continued to work together clandestinely, particularly during the Iran-Iraq War. Both nations saw the benefit of undermining Saddam Hussein’s Iraq, which posed a larger threat to their security. Israel provided arms to Iran, a move designed to weaken Iraq, despite the official US embargo on such military assistance.
One of the most notable instances of their covert relationship during this period was the Iran-Contra affair in the mid-1980s. Israel acted as a go-between, facilitating the sale of American weapons to Iran in exchange for the release of American hostages held by Hezbollah in Lebanon. This scandal revealed the extent to which Iran, Israel, and the US had been willing to collaborate despite their public antagonism.
There were other covert operations too, including Operation Flower, a secret missile development project, and Israel’s supply of military parts, such as spare tyres for Iran’s F-4 fighter jets. However, by the 1990s, the circumstances that had once united these two countries had changed. Iraq’s threat waned, and Iran embraced an anti-Israel stance that persists to this day. The election of hardline leaders in Iran and their support of groups like Hezbollah and Hamas only deepened the enmity between the two nations.
Today, Israel and Iran are at opposite ends of the geopolitical spectrum, with tensions high and the threat of direct conflict looming.
What is the Axis of Resistance?
The Axis of Resistance refers to a political-military alliance of anti-Western and anti-Israel forces in the Middle East, led primarily by Iran. This coalition includes Hezbollah in Lebanon, Syria’s government under President Bashar al-Assad, and various Palestinian militant groups such as Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Yemen’s Houthi rebels are also part of this alliance. The term Axis of Resistance was first coined by these groups to signify their opposition to the influence of Western powers, particularly the United States, as well as Israel’s role in the region.
The roots of the Axis of Resistance lie in the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, when Ayatollah Khomeini established the Islamic Republic with a strong anti-Western and anti-Israel ideology. Iran’s new leadership viewed the West, especially the US, as imperial powers meddling in the Middle East, while Israel was seen as a Western outpost that threatened the Islamic world. As Iran sought to extend its influence in the region, it formed alliances with like-minded groups and governments.
Key Players
1. Iran: As the leading force behind the Axis, Iran provides financial, military, and logistical support to its allies. It has cultivated relationships with both state and non-state actors who share its opposition to Israel and the US. Iran’s elite Quds Force, part of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), plays a crucial role in coordinating this network.
2. Hezbollah: Hezbollah is a Lebanese Shia militant group and political party that emerged in the 1980s, heavily supported by Iran. It has since evolved into a significant regional player, not just within Lebanon but also in Syria and Iraq. Hezbollah’s military wing is considered one of the most powerful non-state forces in the region, and it receives training, weapons, and funding from Iran. It has also gained popularity among many Lebanese for its resistance to Israeli occupation in southern Lebanon, particularly after the 2006 war with Israel.
3. Syria: The Assad regime in Syria is a key member of the Axis of Resistance. Syria and Iran have been strategic partners since the 1980s. During the Syrian Civil War, Iran, Hezbollah, and Russia provided vital support to Bashar al-Assad’s government, helping it regain control over much of the country. For Assad, this alliance was essential for his survival, while for Iran, Syria is a vital geographical link that connects Iran to Lebanon and Hezbollah, providing a pathway to challenge Israel’s influence.
4. Palestinian Groups: Hamas and Islamic Jihad are Palestinian groups based in Gaza that receive backing from Iran. Though Hamas, a Sunni Islamist group, does not share the Shia ideology of Iran, it aligns with Iran due to their common opposition to Israel. These groups frequently engage in conflict with Israel, with rocket attacks and other forms of resistance being their primary tactics. Iran’s support has helped arm these groups, allowing them to maintain their confrontational stance against Israel.
5. Houthis in Yemen: The Houthi movement, a Shia-aligned rebel group in Yemen, is another component of the Axis of Resistance. While their conflict is primarily internal, against Yemen’s Saudi-backed government, their opposition to Saudi Arabia and its US-backed coalition aligns them with Iran’s regional objectives. Iran has been accused of supplying the Houthis with weapons and support, although Iran denies direct involvement.