Context:
Israel was said on October 26 to launch precise and targeted airstrikes that reportedly hit key targets at Iran in the aftermath of an earlier attack by that country on Israel during the month. The reported steps marked a clear escalation between the two countries.
Relevance:
GS II: International Relations
Dimensions of the Article:
- Why did Israel attack Iran?
- Hostility Between Israel and Iran: Historical and Current Dynamics
- Implications of the Israel-Iran Conflict for India
Why did Israel attack Iran?
The hostilities between the two countries are as a result of a long-standing history of mutual animosity and the geopolitical tensions that come along with it. The events that triggered this latest episode of violence are several massive incidents:
- Iranian and Israeli long-term cold war relationship turned sour even further after the Hamas’ attacks on 7 October.
- Support of Hostile Groups: One aspect quite prominent in this conflict is Iran’s support to the Hamas and Hezbollah groups, which have been involved in direct clashes with Israel. Both Hamas and Hezbollah are classified as terrorist groups by the countries of Israel, United States, and many others.
- Strikes and Retaliation:
- April 1 Raid: Israel attacked an Iranian embassy in Syria using missiles, killing 16 people, including the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.
- April 13 Retaliatory Strike: Iran attacked Israeli sovereign territory directly using missile and drone attacks; the response was a hit on Iranian missile defense in Isfahan
- Targeted Killings:
- July 31: The murder of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, which has been attributed to Israeli intelligence.
- September 27: Israel had assassinated Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut, while Iranian Brigadier General Abbas Nilforoushan was also killed there.
- Ballistic Missile Attack:
- October 1: Iran fired 200 ballistic missiles against Israel, which caused allegedly minimal damage but marked an important escalation in the war.
- Continued Hostility: Such acts have continued the pattern of strike and counter-strike that has led to the latest attacks by Israel as a continuation of its pledge to retaliate against Iranian aggressions.
Hostility Between Israel and Iran: Historical and Current Dynamics
- Historical Shift from Allies to Adversaries:
- The relationship between Israel and Iran took a drastic turn after the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran, which ushered in a regime ideologically opposed to Israel. Prior to this, the two nations shared a cordial relationship.
- Non-recognition and Hostile Rhetoric:
- Post-revolution, Iran has consistently refused to recognize Israel’s right to exist. Iranian leaders, including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, have often expressed hostile sentiments, referring to Israel as a “cancerous tumor” meant to be eradicated.
- Engagement in Covert Conflicts:
- The countries have been involved in a covert “shadow war,” where they target each other’s assets indirectly, avoiding open warfare but maintaining a state of hidden conflict.
- Escalation Due to Proxy Support:
- Tensions have been exacerbated by Iran’s support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, which Israel views as terrorist organizations. This support is seen by Israel as a direct threat to its security.
Implications of the Israel-Iran Conflict for India
Disruption of Red Sea Trade Routes:
- Any direct conflict between Israel and Iran risks prolonging disruptions in the Red Sea, impacting India’s trade with Europe, the US, Africa, and West Asia, which heavily relies on this critical maritime route.
Impact on Indian Petroleum Exports:
- Conflicts in shipping routes to the Red Sea have led to a rise in freight costs to Indian exporters and reduced the profitability of exports in this trade area, particularly petroleum.
Problems in Europe
- Increased freight costs are a result of regional conflicts that impact the profit margins of India’s export to Europe, which includes machinery and petroleum products.
Opportunities in Trade with West Asia:
- In fact, despite the war, the growth of bilateral trade between India and the GCC has been going up. This would see a shift in the pattern of trade flows, with a potential shift towards regional players, such as Saudi Arabia and the UAE.
Crisis to the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)
- The war is likely to delay the full establishment of a more efficient route for trading with India, the Gulf, and Europe. The result would be a reduction in the dependence on the Suez Canal.
-Source: Indian Express
