Ganshe Habibi-Yazad, a BBC journalist specializing in Iran and the Middle East, breaks down the current heightened tensions between Iran and Israel. They discuss Iran's recent missile assaults as a response to Israeli actions, and delve into the historical roots of this rivalry since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. Ganshe also examines the contrasting views among Iranian youth regarding their government's priorities and explores the military capabilities of both nations, highlighting the implications of nuclear and cyber warfare.
The conflict between Iran and Israel stems from Iran's post-1979 Islamic Revolution stance against Israel's existence and support for militant groups.
Despite Iran's larger military force, Israel maintains a technological edge through higher military spending and nuclear capabilities, complicating regional dynamics.
Deep dives
Understanding the Iran-Israel Conflict
The longstanding conflict between Iran and Israel primarily stems from the 1979 Islamic Revolution, which shifted Iran from being an ally of the West to opposing Israel. Following this revolution, Iran's leadership has consistently denied Israel's right to exist, with Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei labeling Israel a 'cancerous tumor'. In response, Israel perceives Iran as a significant threat due to Iran's support for militant groups that seek to undermine Israeli security. This adversarial dynamic has intensified particularly after Israel's military operations against leaders linked to Iran, provoking more aggressive posturing from both countries.
Iran's Military Landscape
Iran boasts a larger military force compared to Israel, with approximately 600,000 troops versus Israel's 170,000 soldiers. However, Israel's military spending is more than double that of Iran, indicating a significant advantage in technology and equipment. Israel is believed to possess nuclear weapons, while Iran insists its nuclear initiatives are purely for peaceful purposes, although its program is subject to international scrutiny. The military capabilities and defense strategies of both nations, including advancements in cyber warfare, present a complex and precarious balance of power in the region.
Public Sentiment and Governance in Iran
Understanding the views of everyday Iranians is challenging due to strict internet censorship and government repression, which creates a barrier to open discourse about governmental actions and foreign relations. While many Iranians support the Palestinian cause, there is a growing discontent regarding the government's spending on regional conflicts instead of domestic issues like the economy and employment. Observations suggest a generational divide, with younger Iranians more critical of their leaders and concerned about prioritizing foreign policy over domestic well-being. Many citizens yearn for a more peaceful and prosperous future, underscoring the tension between governmental objectives and the populace's desires.
On Tuesday night, Iran fired 180 ballistic missiles at Israel. The Iranian military said it was in response to Israel’s assassinations of the Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran, both whom had links to Iran.
What’s behind this long standing conflict between Iran and Israel? Who is in charge there? And what do Iranian people think about their leaders’ actions? Ghoncheh Habibiazad, a journalist from BBC Monitoring, gives us a basic guide to Iran, to understand what’s happening in the Middle East right now.
We also break down the different military capabilities of Iran and Israel, including nuclear and cyber warfare.
Instagram: @bbcwhatintheworld
WhatsApp: +44 0330 12 33 22 6
Email: whatintheworld@bbc.co.uk
Presenter: William Lee Adams
Producers: Julia Ross-Roy and Benita Barden
Editor: Rosanna La-Falce
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