New Delhi:
Recent reports indicate that Iran launched a barrage of 200 missiles, including hypersonic weapons, targeting Israel amidst escalating tensions in the Middle East. In response, Israel has vowed to hold Iran accountable for its actions. Surprisingly, historical records reveal a time when Israel and Iran were not adversaries but instead collaborated with support from the United States to combat a common foe.
Back in the 1960s, both nations identified Iraq as a mutual threat. While Israel faced hostility from surrounding Arab nations, Iran, under the Shah’s rule, saw Iraq as a direct menace to its security and regional ambitions. This shared perception led to a covert partnership involving Israel’s Mossad and Iran’s SAVAK, who worked together to empower Kurdish insurgents against the Iraqi government.
The collaboration evolved into a trilateral intelligence alliance known as Trident, which also included Turkey. This initiative, initiated in 1958, facilitated the exchange of crucial intelligence and joint counterintelligence operations. Over time, Israel and Iran deepened their military and intelligence cooperation, solidifying their relationship during the Shah’s reign.
The Shah’s Vision and Israel’s Influence
Iran’s Shah, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, recognized not only shared geopolitical interests but also believed in Israel’s sway in Washington. Viewing Israel as a potential bridge to enhance ties with the United States, especially after concerns were raised about his authoritarian rule by the Kennedy administration, the Shah established a permanent Israeli delegation in Tehran by the mid-1960s.
While the relationship faced challenges due to anti-Israel sentiments in the Arab world, the Shah strategically managed Iran’s association with Israel. Despite his increased criticism following the 1967 Six-Day War, pragmatic interests continued to overshadow ideological differences.
Covert Collaborations
Following the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran transitioned into an anti-Israel Islamic Republic. Nevertheless, amidst the rise of Ayatollah Khomeini, the new regime found itself engaging in discreet cooperation with Israel against common adversaries. As the Iran-Iraq War unfolded, both nations acknowledged the strategic benefits of working together to counter Saddam Hussein’s Iraq.
Israel identified an opportunity to assist Iran, considering Iraq a more imminent threat to its security due to Baghdad’s regional aspirations and nuclear ambitions. Despite US policies prohibiting military aid to Iran until the release of American hostages, Israel supplied arms to Iran. This exchange also included the emigration of Iranian Jews to Israel or the US, underscoring the practical nature of the partnership.
The Iran-Contra Affair
By the mid-1980s, Iran faced a critical need for military support amid the Iran-Iraq War’s strain on its resources. The Iran-Contra affair unfolded as a clandestine operation involving arms sales facilitated by Israel, with support from senior Reagan administration officials, to secure the release of American hostages held by Iran-sponsored Hezbollah in Lebanon.
For Israel, these arms deals proved lucrative and strategically valuable, enhancing its role as a covert ally of Iran against Iraq. Despite public denunciations of Israel, Iran engaged in these transactions to address its pressing military requirements.
Operation Flower and F-4 Fighter Jets
Operation Flower represented a significant initiative under the Shah’s regime, involving the modification of missiles for potential sale to Iran. Although the nuclear aspect was not pursued, Iran made a substantial payment through oil shipments. Additionally, Israel covertly supplied spare tires for F-4 fighter jets to bolster Iran’s military capabilities during its conflict with Iraq.
These transactions occurred during a delicate period in US-Iran relations, with diplomatic hostages still held in Tehran. Israel temporarily suspended military deals in response to American pressure, considering the safety of the Jewish population in Iran. However, by the 1990s, the era of collaboration between Israel and Iran faded, giving way to hostility and rivalry.
Current Landscape and Impending Conflict
Today, Iran and Israel stand on the brink of all-out war, with Israel confronting Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and Houthis in Yemen – all allied under Iran’s ‘Axis Of Resistance’. The once covert allies have transitioned into prominent adversaries, reflecting the evolving dynamics in the Middle East.
