Israel-Iran Conflict Grows Amid Decades of Regional Tension

Post by : Raina Nasser

Photo:AP

For over 40 years, Iran and Israel have been fighting for power in the Middle East. Instead of working things out, both sides often act to look strong. People around the world take sides without thinking deeply.

Iran’s government and powerful military group, the Revolutionary Guards, believed they were strong enough to challenge both Israel and the United States. This belief grew after their long war with Iraq ended. Iran kept speaking strongly against Israel and thought America didn’t have much power in the region.

A major turning point came when the U.S. killed Qassem Soleimani, a top Iranian general, in Iraq during President Trump’s time. He was behind many of Iran’s secret wars in places like Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, and Yemen.

Even after Soleimani’s death, Iran didn’t stop. Over the past five years, it has used its allies like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen to go after Israeli and U.S. targets. Meanwhile, Iran’s people have suffered from sanctions (bans and punishments) by the U.S. and Europe. These were due to Iran’s actions on human rights, nuclear weapons, and support for Russia in the Ukraine war.

Still, Iran kept talking with the U.S. and Europe about its nuclear sites but always left Israel out of the talks.

But things got worse in October 2024. On the 1st, Iran fired over 180 missiles at Israel. Then, on the 26th, Israel hit back by attacking Iran’s military bases in three waves of strikes. Luckily, this time both sides avoided hitting people, army officers, or very sensitive places.