The victory of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s Islamic Revolution on February 11, 1979, marked the end of Iran-Israel relations and the beginning of decades of hostility between the two nations.
Pre-Revolution Alliance
Before 1979, Iran under Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi maintained close strategic ties with Israel:
- Joint military cooperation against Arab nationalist movements
- Intelligence sharing through SAVAK-Mossad partnership
- Oil exports to Israel despite Arab boycotts
- Shared concerns about Soviet influence in the region
Revolutionary Transformation
Khomeini’s revolutionary ideology fundamentally opposed Israel’s existence:
- Declared Israel “Little Satan” (US being “Great Satan”)
- Condemned Iranian-Israeli cooperation under the Shah
- Pledged support for Palestinian liberation
- Broke all diplomatic and economic ties
Immediate Consequences
The revolution’s impact on Iran-Israel relations:
- Closure of Israeli embassy in Tehran
- Termination of military cooperation agreements
- End of oil supplies to Israel
- Transfer of Israeli embassy building to PLO
Regional Implications
The revolution reshaped Middle Eastern dynamics:
- Loss of Israel’s closest Muslim ally
- Shift in regional power balance
- Iran’s new role as Palestinian supporter
- Beginning of proxy conflict era
The Islamic Revolution created the ideological foundation for four decades of Iran-Israel conflict, transforming former allies into bitter enemies.