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How has Iran's stance on Israel affected its relations with other countries in the region?

Kimberely Lucey

Iran's stance on Israel has undoubtedly had a profound impact on its relations with other countries in the region. Iran's animosity towards Israel is rooted in both historical and geopolitical factors, and has been a defining feature of Iranian foreign policy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.

From a historical perspective, Iran's hostility towards Israel can be traced back to the creation of the state of Israel in 1948, which displaced thousands of Palestinian Arabs and led to numerous conflicts between Israel and its Arab neighbors. Iran, like many other Muslim countries, strongly opposed Israel's existence and viewed it as an illegitimate state.

From a geopolitical perspective, Iran's opposition to Israel is part of its broader ambition to establish itself as a regional power and challenge the influence of the United States and its allies in the Middle East. As a Shia Muslim country, Iran views itself as a natural leader of the Shia community in the region, which puts it at odds with Israel's predominantly Sunni Muslim neighbors.

Iran's stance on Israel has been a major factor in its relations with other countries in the region, particularly those in the Arab world. Many Arab countries, especially those in the Sunni bloc, view Iran as a destabilizing force and a threat to their security. Iran's support for anti-Israel armed groups like Hezbollah is seen by many Arab states as a blatant attempt to undermine their security and sovereignty.

On the other hand, Iran has been able to cultivate close ties with some Arab states, such as Syria, which share its opposition to Israel and the United States. Iran's support for the Syrian government during the Syrian civil war has been a key factor in its strategic alliance with the country, which has provided Iran with a crucial foothold in the Arab world.

Iran's stance on Israel has also had an impact on its relations with non-Arab countries in the region, such as Turkey and Azerbaijan. Both countries have growing economic and strategic ties with Israel and view Iran's opposition to Israel as a threat to their interests. This has led to friction between Iran and these countries, particularly over issues like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and Iran's nuclear program.

Overall, Iran's stance on Israel is a major factor in its relations with other countries in the region. While Iran's hostility towards Israel has earned it support from some countries, it has also made it a pariah in the eyes of many of its neighbors. As Iran continues to pursue its regional ambitions, its stance on Israel is likely to remain a critical issue for its relations with other countries in the region.