Iran and Israel have a long-standing and complex rivalry rooted in ideological, political, and strategic differences. Iran, a Shia Muslim theocracy, does not recognize Israel's right to exist and supports groups like Hezbollah and Hamas that actively oppose it. Israel, a Jewish state, views Iran's nuclear program and regional ambitions as an existential threat. This mutual distrust and animosity have fueled proxy conflicts, cyber warfare, and covert operations, as both countries vie for regional influence and security.
