Why Iran Attacks Israel: Unraveling A Deep-Rooted Conflict

Harry Lebsack MD 19 Jun 2025

The Middle East, a region perpetually on the brink, finds itself once again at a critical juncture, with tensions between Iran and Israel escalating to unprecedented levels. The latest attack, which comes just before the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, threatens to push the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. Understanding the complex web of historical grievances, strategic objectives, and immediate triggers is crucial to comprehending why Iran is attacking Israel, a dynamic that carries profound implications for global stability.

This long-standing animosity, often simmering beneath the surface, has recently erupted into direct military confrontations, raising alarm bells worldwide. Beyond the headlines of drone and missile strikes, there lies a multifaceted narrative involving nuclear ambitions, proxy warfare, and a deep-seated ideological clash that defines much of the region's geopolitical landscape. This article delves into the core reasons behind Iran's aggressive posture towards Israel, drawing on recent events and expert analysis to provide a comprehensive overview.

A History of Hostility: The Seeds of Conflict
The Immediate Triggers: Retaliation and Escalation
- The April 2024 Barrage
- Retaliation for Targeted Killings
The Nuclear Dimension: An Existential Threat
The Proxy Network: Iran's Strategic Reach
Gaza and Hamas: A Catalyst for Conflict
International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts
The Cycle of Retaliation: A Dangerous Escalation
- Israel's Vow to Retaliate
- Ongoing Border Skirmishes
Implications for the Region and Beyond

A History of Hostility: The Seeds of Conflict

The animosity between Iran and Israel is not a recent phenomenon but rather a deeply entrenched rivalry that has evolved over decades. What began as a cautious relationship in the mid-20th century transformed into outright hostility following the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. The new Iranian regime adopted an anti-Israel stance as a cornerstone of its foreign policy, viewing the Jewish state as an illegitimate entity and a proxy for Western influence in the region. This ideological clash laid the groundwork for a shadow war, characterized by covert operations, cyberattacks, and proxy conflicts, long before direct military exchanges became a reality.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vividly described Iran as “the head of the octopus” with “tentacles all around from the Houthis to Hezbollah to Hamas.” This analogy encapsulates Israel's perception of Iran's strategy: using a network of armed groups across the Middle East to project power, destabilize its adversaries, and exert pressure on Israel without direct military confrontation. This long-term strategic competition is a fundamental reason why Iran is attacking Israel, albeit often through its proxies, to challenge its regional dominance and undermine its security.

The Immediate Triggers: Retaliation and Escalation

While the underlying tensions are historical, recent direct attacks between Iran and Israel have been sparked by a series of specific provocations and retaliatory cycles. The tit-for-tat exchanges have dramatically raised the stakes, moving the conflict from the shadows into the open.

The April 2024 Barrage

A pivotal moment occurred in April 2024 when Iran launched a massive missile and drone attack on Israel. This unprecedented direct assault came five months after it first attacked Israel with waves of about 300 drones and missiles. The scale and directness of this attack marked a significant escalation, as Iran had previously relied almost exclusively on its proxies to target Israel. Israel reported that almost all were intercepted, largely thanks to its sophisticated air defense systems and assistance from allies.

This Iranian offensive was itself described as being in retaliation for Israel's strikes on Iran's military establishment and nuclear program. The attacks, in retaliation for Israel's strikes on Iran's military establishment and nuclear program, have alarmed Israel and the United States, with President Donald Trump holding out the prospect of further action. The cycle of strikes and counter-strikes underscores the precarious nature of the current situation and provides a clear answer to why Iran is attacking Israel directly now.

Retaliation for Targeted Killings

Another significant trigger for Iran's actions has been the perceived assassination of its military commanders and allied figures. Iran has vowed to retaliate for the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran in late July, an attack for which it has blamed Israel. These targeted killings, often attributed to Israel, are viewed by Iran as direct assaults on its sovereignty and strategic assets, necessitating a forceful response. Such events fuel the cycle of violence, making it increasingly difficult to de-escalate tensions.

The Nuclear Dimension: An Existential Threat

At the heart of Israel's concerns, and a key factor influencing its aggressive stance, is Iran's nuclear program. Israel, which is widely believed to have nuclear weapons of its own, says the attack is aimed at ending Iran’s ability to build a nuclear bomb, which it sees as an existential threat. This fear is not new; it has been a consistent driver of Israeli policy towards Iran for decades. From Israel's perspective, a nuclear-armed Iran would fundamentally alter the regional balance of power and pose an unacceptable threat to its security.

The international community, particularly the United States, shares some of these concerns, albeit with differing approaches. Trump told reporters on Friday that the U.S. of course supports Israel and called the overnight strikes on Iran a very successful attack. He also warned Iran to agree to a nuclear deal. This highlights the international pressure on Iran regarding its nuclear ambitions. However, the justification for pre-emptive strikes remains contentious. As one statement notes, “there is no indication that an attack by Iran against Israel was imminent, nor is it sufficient under international law for Israel to justify the attack based on its assessment that Iran will soon have a nuclear capability, especially given the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran.” This legal and ethical debate adds another layer of complexity to understanding why Iran is attacking Israel in response to perceived Israeli aggression against its nuclear facilities.

The Proxy Network: Iran's Strategic Reach

As mentioned, a cornerstone of Iran's regional strategy, and a major reason why Iran is attacking Israel indirectly, is its extensive network of proxy groups. These groups, including Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and various Shiite militias in Iraq and Syria, serve as Iran's forward operating bases and leverage points against Israel. Israel has been reluctant to attack Iran directly because Tehran’s proxies along Israel’s borders—Hezbollah in Lebanon, in particular, possesses a formidable arsenal of rockets and missiles capable of striking deep into Israeli territory.

This proxy strategy allows Iran to exert significant pressure on Israel without risking direct military confrontation that could escalate into a full-blown war. By arming, training, and funding these groups, Iran creates a multi-front threat that keeps Israel's defense forces stretched and its population under constant threat. When these proxies launch attacks, it is often seen as Iran's way of responding to Israeli actions, demonstrating its reach and retaliatory capabilities. This indirect approach is a calculated move to achieve strategic objectives while maintaining a degree of plausible deniability.

Gaza and Hamas: A Catalyst for Conflict

The ongoing conflict in Gaza, sparked by the militant group Hamas's attack on Israel, has significantly intensified the broader Iran-Israel dynamic. Israel’s war on Hamas, waged since the militant group attacked Israel on October 7th, 2023, is inextricably linked to Iran's regional agenda. Hamas, along with Palestinian Islamic Jihad, is widely considered an Iranian proxy, receiving substantial financial and military support from Tehran. Therefore, any Israeli action against Hamas is viewed by Iran as an attack on its strategic assets and influence.

The conflict in Gaza provides Iran with a potent rallying cry and an opportunity to portray itself as a champion of the Palestinian cause, bolstering its legitimacy among some Arab and Muslim populations. Furthermore, Iran has vowed to retaliate for the killing of a Hamas leader in Tehran in late July, an attack for which it has blamed Israel. This direct accusation highlights how events in Gaza and the targeting of Hamas leadership directly contribute to Iran's motivations for engaging in retaliatory actions against Israel, either directly or through its proxies.

International Reactions and Diplomatic Efforts

The escalating tensions between Iran and Israel have sent ripples across the international community, prompting urgent calls for de-escalation and diplomatic intervention. Diplomats are trying to forestall an Iranian response that some fear could plunge the region into a wider conflict. The United States, a staunch ally of Israel, has consistently reaffirmed its support, as evidenced by former President Trump's remarks. However, the international response is not monolithic, with various nations and organizations urging restraint from both sides.

Iran, for its part, often frames its actions as defensive or retaliatory in nature. The Permanent Mission of the Islamic Republic of Iran to the United Nations, New York, issued a statement via X (formerly Twitter) on October 1, which read, “Iran's actions are in self-defense against Israel's repeated aggressions.” While the exact wording varies, Iran consistently asserts its right to respond to what it perceives as Israeli violations of its sovereignty or attacks on its interests. The big fear is Iran starts striking targets in the Persian Gulf, potentially disrupting global oil supplies and drawing in more international actors. This highlights the global stakes involved in understanding why Iran is attacking Israel and the potential for spillover effects.

The Cycle of Retaliation: A Dangerous Escalation

The current state of affairs between Iran and Israel is best described as a dangerous cycle of retaliation, where each action by one side prompts a counter-action from the other. This dynamic fuels the continuous question of why Iran is attacking Israel, as each strike can be framed as a response to a previous perceived aggression. Israel has vowed to retaliate against Iran for recent direct attacks, signaling its intent to maintain deterrence and respond forcefully to any threats to its security. The IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi said later on Monday that Israel would respond to Iran's attack, emphasizing the military's readiness and resolve.

Israel's Vow to Retaliate

When asked, "Why else would Israel attack Iran?" the answer often lies in this cycle of deterrence and retaliation. Israel's military doctrine emphasizes pre-emption and strong response to maintain its security edge in a hostile neighborhood. This approach, however, often leads to the very retaliatory actions from Iran that the world fears. The back-and-forth nature of these exchanges, with each side claiming justification for its actions, makes it incredibly difficult to break the cycle and achieve lasting peace.

Ongoing Border Skirmishes

Beyond the major missile and drone attacks, the conflict manifests in smaller, yet significant, incidents. Projectiles flying over northern Israel on Tuesday (Atef Safadi/EPA/Shutterstock) are a constant reminder of the volatile situation on Israel's borders, often emanating from Iranian-backed groups. Israel has delivered a number of blows to Iran over the past years, including alleged assassinations and sabotage operations, which Iran then uses as justification for its own retaliatory actions. This continuous low-level conflict, punctuated by dramatic escalations, defines the current state of play.

Implications for the Region and Beyond

The escalating conflict between Iran and Israel carries profound implications not only for the two nations involved but for the entire Middle East and potentially the global stage. The latest attack, which comes just before the start of the Jewish High Holy Days, threatens to push the Middle East closer to a regionwide war. Such a conflict would undoubtedly draw in other regional and international powers, creating an unpredictable and potentially catastrophic scenario.

The question of "Why Israel attacked Iran now and what it might mean for the United States" underscores the interconnectedness of these events. The US, with its significant military presence and strategic interests in the region, would inevitably be impacted. Reports of "Iran and Israel in major conflict Israel attacks Iran and declares emergency Iran TV shows bomb damage" paint a grim picture of the potential devastation. The economic fallout, particularly concerning global energy markets, would be immense if key shipping lanes in the Persian Gulf were disrupted. The humanitarian cost, should a full-scale regional war erupt, would be unimaginable. Understanding why Iran is attacking Israel is therefore not just an academic exercise but a critical endeavor to comprehend a potential global crisis in the making.

Conclusion

The question of why Iran is attacking Israel is multifaceted, rooted in a complex interplay of historical animosity, ideological differences, strategic competition, and immediate retaliatory cycles. From Iran's perspective, its actions are often framed as responses to perceived Israeli aggression, particularly concerning its nuclear program and the targeting of its proxies. For Israel, Iran's nuclear ambitions and its network of proxy militias represent an existential threat, necessitating a robust and often pre-emptive defense.

The ongoing war in Gaza and the role of Hamas, an Iranian-backed group, have further inflamed these tensions, pushing the long-standing shadow war into direct confrontation. As diplomats scramble to forestall a wider regional conflagration, the precarious balance of power and the cycle of retaliation continue to threaten the stability of the Middle East. Understanding these intricate dynamics is crucial for anyone seeking to comprehend one of the world's most volatile geopolitical flashpoints. We encourage you to share your thoughts on this complex issue in the comments below and explore other articles on our site for more in-depth analysis of global affairs.

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