Iran-Israel Tensions: A Shadow War on the threshold of growing to an open conflict
Iran-Israel is an old geopolitical have-and-have-not dispute which is based on ideologies, regional politics on power, and security interests. Although it is not a proclaimed war, the two countries have been in a shadow warfare over the decades and this shadow war has been characterised by covert operations, cyberattacks, airstrikes and proxy battles, especially in Syria and Lebanon.
Being an Islamic Republic, Iran looks upon Israel as not being a legitimate state and occupying the territory of Palestine. it aids anti-israel movements such as the Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza. One of the most contention issues has been the nuclear program of Iran with Israel being a strong opponent on the same as it threatens its existence with a nuclear armed Iran. Israel in its turn has been said to have conducted sabotage attacks and assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.
In Syria, there have been hundreds of cases of Israeli airstrikes on Iranian arms convoys and bases in an effort to help to stop Iran from maintaining a long-term military presence along its borders. Iran on the other side is still increasing its influence regionally through its belonging to Axis of Resistance which includes Syria, Hezbollah and other Shiite Militias.
The fighting widened in 2024 and 2025 as a result of regional instability and the wider spill over effect of the Gaza War. A series of tit-for-tat moves, such as drone warfare, cyberattacks, and threats to the maritime transportation have led to fears that a full-scale war is brewing. Though, they both have not encountered direct military conflict yet as there has been international pressure and threat of war in the region between the U.S., Saudi Arabia, and others.
The Iran与 Israel issue has been one of the most unstable fault lines in Iran. It is part of tensions among the Sunni-Arab states, Iran and western powers, and its perpetuation could lead to the instability of the region and to world security. Some diplomatic breakthroughs are needed otherwise this cold war may develop into threatening hot war.