Arch-enemies? Not Always: Israel and Iran’s Historical Alliance

By Randy Pinsky

 

If you scan the news, you might assume that the recent escalation between Israel and Iran was merely the culmination of decades old animosity. But in fact, pre-Islamic Republic Iran and Israel were close allies with developed economic, social and military ties. As two of the only non-Arab states in a volatile region, they shared common enemies during the Cold War, and Iran’s Jewish population was the second largest in the Middle East after Israel. 

It must be underscored: the conflict is not with the people of Iran but rather, its regime. 

There is hope that the two communities can once again restore their historical alliance; a relationship that has lasted over 3,000 years. 

The Lost Chapter of Friendship

While recent historical events depict Israel and Iran as bitter enemies due to Iran being the primary funder of terrorist proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah, this was not always the case. 

The link between Israel and Iran dates back to the First Temple, approximately 950 BCE. The Jewish community in Iran (then known as Persia) is one of the oldest in the region, and the intertwined nature of the cultures is evident in their traditions, songs and poems. In fact, several influential Persian leaders were Jewish, including Munabbih ibn Kamil, companion to Mohammed, and Reza Hekmat, former prime minister of Iran (1947), who was alleged to have Jewish ancestry. 

The Jewish community of Iran was an integral part of the social and economic fabric. “This wasn’t mere tolerance- it was genuine co-existence between two ancient civilizations."

Light and Shadows

As one of the oldest religious minorities of Iran, the first Persian Jews can trace their roots to the ten tribes of ancient Israel, exiled by the Assyrians in 722 BCE. 

Through the centuries, Jews were either integrated, ignored or persecuted. They were often treated as dhimmis or second class citizens along with other non-Muslim religious groups, though the level of economic leverage and social freedom varied depended on the ruler of the day. Though they have dealt with numerous challenges and upheavals in its almost 2,700 years, through it all, they have remained resilient and ever-present. 

It is this sense of community inner strength and omnipresence that was conveyed in the  evocatively titled 2012 exhibit ‘Light and Shadows: The Story of Iranian Jews' hosted by UCLA and created by Beit Hatfutsot, The Museum of the Jewish People from Tel Aviv. 

Courage in the Face of Persecution

Perhaps the most well-known example of Persian Jewish perseverance is Queen Esther and her Uncle Mordechai, protagonists of the holiday of Purim. Taking on the Persian name of ‘Esther’ to hide her Jewish identity, Hadassah entered a contest to marry the king and won, impressing him with her grace and wisdom. When his evil vizier Haman plotted to kill all the Jews due to their refusal to kowtow to him, Esther revealed her religious identity to implore the king to save the community. A story of courage and faith, it takes place in Persia’s capital city of Shushan, now modern-day Hamedan, the site of Esther and Mordechai’s tombs. 

Other prominent Jewish Persians include Daniel (of the lion’s den fame) who served in the court. The religious books Ezra and Nehemiah, moreover, depict the return of Jews back to Israel from exile in Babylon, and the rebuilding of the Second Temple facilitated by Persian King Cyrus.

History

With the encroachment of Islam across the region, minority religious groups in Iran were suppressed and restricted in their positions, prohibited from holding positions of leadership.

In 1928, Reza Shah took power and proceeded on a process of westernization and secularization in what he renamed the Imperial State of Persia. Though a dictator, Jews and other non-Muslim minority groups were emancipated and permitted to contribute to social and economic life. In fact, through emphasizing national vs religious identity, unity was fostered with all citizens being perceived as having equal status; a phenomenon witnessed “for the first time since the rise of Islam in Iran in the seventh century.”

After being invaded by the Soviet Union and Britain in WWll in August 1941, the Shah was sent into exile, and eventually replaced by his son Mohammed Rez Shah Pahlavi. 

Non-Arab Alliance in a Volatile Region

Iran would be one of the first Muslim majority countries to recognize Israel once it became re-established in 1948. In 1949 and 1950, it even permitted a Mossad envoy to help Iraqi Jews travel to Israel through Tehran. 

The alliance that would develop was part of Israel’s ‘periphery doctrine’. According to historian Eirik Kvindesland from Oxford University, “to end its isolation in the Middle East, Israel’s Prime Minister David Ben-Gurion pursued relations with non-Arab states at the ‘edges’ of the Middle East, in what would later become known as the periphery doctrine. This also included Ethiopia, but Iran and Turkey were by far the most successful approaches.” The informal strategic and intelligence partnerships established with Iran and Turkey in 1958 were known as the ‘trident’ strategic triangle. 

The prevailing logic was that if peace with the major players was not possible due to the avowed rejection of Israel, relations with the others would be a key starting point. “Israel viewed Iran as a non-Arab ally in an unfriendly Arab world.”In fact, this is the logic that has guided the 2020 Abraham Accords with normalized relations obtained with smaller nations such as Oman, Morocco and Bahrain. 

The Golden Period

Israel and Iran were thus historically strategic partners, engaging in trade and military cooperation. Government officials and military commanders from Israel "were guests of honor in Iran. Both nations were non-Arab and saw eye to eye in a region filled with political threats," such as the Soviet Union who was expanding its influence in the Middle East. 

El Al planes regularly flew between Tehran and Tel Aviv (an unfathomable thought today), with Iranians having a spiritual connection to the land of Israel. In particular, Persian Jews make pilgrimages to the cave of Serah Ba Asher near Isfahan, believed to have a mystical link to Jerusalem.

Most of Israel's oil was supplied by Iran, with a direct pipeline covertly built to avoid provoking the wrath of the Arab neighbors. It was considered “a huge economic lifeline for both countries.” With the vested interest of developing closer relations with the United States, it was strategic for Iran to collaborate with Israel, America’s closest ally. Israel was also its gateway to modernize and westernize, gaining access to Western technology, medical innovation and business acumen. 

A Revolution of Regression

Then everything changed in 1979.

Leading Shiite cleric Ayatollah Khomeini led a coup and expelled the Shah and his family, instating the Islamic Republic of Iran and what would be almost a half-century regime of oppression. Almost unlimited power was granted to the mullahs or religious leaders, with a corresponding subjugation of both non-Muslims and non-Shiite Muslims. 

Almost immediately, ties with Israel were severed. Iran became a vocal supporter of the Palestinian cause, reinforced by the propping up of terrorist proxy groups. 

Invoking an Ancient Hero of Liberation

In viewing the alarming progression of events, thousands of Persian Jews emigrated, most going to Israel or the United States. Israel then led Operation Cyrus, facilitating the escape of 30,000 Iranian Jews^[1] with the mission’s title referencing the ancient Persian ruler who had helped liberate the Jews from Babylonian exile.

Montreal chiropractor Sima Goel recounted her daring experience in the gripping book, Fleeing the Hijab: A Jewish Women’s Escape from Iran. In her own words, “My life in Iran was wonderful - until it wasn’t.” 

She discussed how almost overnight, relations with friends and neighbors were shattered, religious rules and segregation imposed, and women’s rights revoked. “To be a Jew and a thinker in Iran of the late 1970s meant having to live as a slave in relative liberty within the dictates of her masters.”

From Allies to Ach-enemies

Since then, things have quickly escalated. The Iranian regime has spearheaded realm of terror labeled the ‘Axis of Resistance’, funding and training terrorist groups against Western powers, the United States (“Big Satan”) and Israel (“Little Satan”).

While there are still twelve synagogues in Tehran, the Jewish community lives subdued and cautious, knowing that their every move is scrutinized. They live in constant fear of retaliation for Israel's actions, and remain highly vulnerable. It is for this reason that Israel has attempted to support their evacuation, realizing that they are being held for ransom by the regime. 

While Khomeini has (officially) recognized the distinction between Israel and Persian Jews, there are still discriminatory policies against them. For instance, while they have one representative in parliament, they are obligated to publicly support Iran’s anti-Israel policies.

Only a fraction of the once bustling Jewish community in Iran remains, with almost 85% having left. In spite of claims to the contrary, they are not ‘safe’, but rather ‘tolerated’, though the security is a fragile and fickle one.^[2]

Attacking the Source of Terror

Recognizing that Iran is the active funding sponsor of several terrorist groups including Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis, and was coming dangerously close to developing a nuclear weapon, Israel decisively attacked in June 2025. “It's time that we hit the octopus on its head as opposed to just continue fighting its arms,” said former Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett. 

In Operation Rising Lion, Israel eliminated military targets, nuclear and enrichment facilities, supported by US reinforcement, and “the regime’s organs of oppression…the entire command structure of the IRGC [Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps] was eliminated that Friday.”

Israel has had decisive victories against Iran and its proxies. Indeed, "Hamas has been decimated. Hezbollah has been badly degraded… Assad's regime in Syria is no more…[and] the Islamic Republic’s proxy and partner network is a shell of its former self”. 

As the conflict is against the anti-Israel and terrorist-supporting Iranian regime and not the people of Iran, the hope is to restore the ties of the past. In fact, the name of the offensive mission, Operation Rising Lion, also alludes to a desire to help Iranians restore pre-Ayatollah Iran, with the lion being on their original flag. 

Iranians have expressed their support to Israel; many at great personal security risk. The hashtag #IraniansStandWithIsrael is widely used on social media. Both Iranians and Israelis share a mutual enemy, mutual values and a mutual hope for peace in a Middle East that is devoid of terrorism.”  

In the war announcement, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu reinforced to the people of Iran, “Our fight is not with you…[we hope for] the great friendship between our two ancient peoples [to] flourish once again.”

May we see those days return - and soon. 

 

 

^[1] Notable Israelis of Iranian-Jewish descent include Nitsana Darshan-Leitner; prominent Israeli attorney and founder of the Shurat HaDin organization which bankrupts terrorist groups at their funding source; Sima Bchar, Mrs Israel 2005; Dan Halutz, former Chief of Staff of the IDF; Montreal lawyer and advocate Payam Akhavan, born to a Baháʼí family of Jewish origins, and Moshe Katsav, former President of Israel (2000-2007).
 

^[2] Jewish individuals were rounded up for questioning after Israel's attacks on Iran’s nuclear facilities in June 2025, with several still held in custody.