On 28 February 2026, Israel and the United States launched airstrikes on Iranian targets under what officials called “Operation Epic Fury”. The strikes came after weeks of rising military tension in the region and at a time when Washington and Tehran were still engaged in nuclear talks in Geneva.
The moment did not emerge in isolation. Hostility between Iran and Israel had been building for decades, shaped by revolution, regional alliances and competing security doctrines.
Yet their relationship was not always defined by confrontation. In 1948, Iran recognised the newly formed State of Israel. It was only after the Islamic Revolution in 1979 that ties collapsed and the rivalry took on its current form.
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Here is how that transformation unfolded.
1948–1979: Recognition And Strategic Cooperation
- 1948: Iran recognised the State of Israel shortly after its establishment.
- 1950s to 1970s: Under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, Iran and Israel develop quiet economic and security cooperation. Israel imports Iranian oil, and intelligence coordination reportedly takes place.
Although politically sensitive in the region, the relationship remained stable during this period.
1979: Islamic Revolution And Diplomatic Rupture
- 1979: The Islamic Revolution overthrows the Shah.
- Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini comes to power and redefines Iran’s foreign policy.
- Iran cuts diplomatic ties with Israel and adopts an official position opposing its legitimacy.
This marks the beginning of sustained hostility.
1980s–2010s: Indirect Confrontation
For decades, the conflict largely unfolded indirectly.
- Iran supported armed groups opposed to Israel, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories.
- Israel carried out air operations targeting Iranian-linked assets in Syria.
- Disputes over Iran’s nuclear programme intensified, alongside reported cyber activity and covert operations attributed to both sides.
The rivalry becomes embedded in wider regional politics.
7 October 2023: Gaza War And Escalation
- Hamas launched a large-scale attack on Israel.
- Israel began an extended military campaign in Gaza.
- Exchanges along Israel’s northern border involving Hezbollah increased regional tensions.
The possibility of a broader confrontation involving Iran becomes a recurring concern among regional governments and international observers.
2025: Direct Military Exchanges
By 2025, the long-running shadow conflict moves closer to open confrontation.
- Israel conducted strikes on Iranian military and nuclear-linked facilities.
- Iran responded with missile and drone attacks targeting Israeli territory.
These exchanges mark one of the most direct phases of hostilities between the two states in decades.
28 February 2026: Operation Epic Fury
Israel and the United States launched coordinated strikes on Iranian targets. The operation took place during ongoing nuclear negotiations in Geneva, highlighting the fragile state of diplomacy. Regional governments called for restraint amid concerns about escalation and economic disruption.
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The United States and Israel launched coordinated strikes on Iran
