Iran-Israel Conflict: From Friendship to Enmity, Exploring Their Relationship and the Global Impact of Middle East Tensions

Iran-Israel Conflict: Iran and Israel are two countries in the Middle East, which have a long history of tension and conflict. There was a constant war of words between the two over the Israeli bombing in Gaza. However, when seven military officers were killed in an Israeli attack on the Iranian Embassy in the Syrian capital Damascus on April 1, Iran lost its patience. In retaliation, Iran attacked Israel on Saturday (April 13). 

The Israeli army said that the country was attacked late Saturday night. Hundreds of drones, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles were fired from Iran’s side. However, Israel said that 99 percent of the more than 300 drones and missiles fired towards it were destroyed in the air. At the same time, Iran’s ‘Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps’ (IRGC) said that the attack was carried out by targeting specific locations. 

At the same time, the whole world including India is worried due to this turmoil in the Middle East. In such a situation, let us try to understand what effect the ongoing tension between Iran and Israel will have on India. What impact will it have on the global economy and what has been the history of relations between the two countries?  

What has been the history of Iran-Israel relations?

Both the countries of the Middle East are often called each other’s arch enemies. The Palestine issue has been at the center of this enmity for decades. However, very few people know that Iran was among the few countries in the world that first recognized Israel. However, with time the situation changed and Iran-Israel, who were once friends, later became ‘thirsty for each other’s blood’. The situation has become such that now both are standing on the brink of war.

Relations between the two countries remained cordial under the Pahlavi dynasty, which ruled Iran from 1925 to 1979. Iran was the second Muslim-majority country to recognise Israel after its establishment in 1948. However, relations started deteriorating again in 1951 under the government of Iran’s Prime Minister Mohammad Mosaddegh, but he was ousted in a coup in 1953. In his place, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, a supporter of Western countries, was made the head of the country.  

Relations between the two countries were so cordial that Israel had even opened an embassy in Tehran. In the 1970s, both countries had ambassadors to each other. Trade relations were also growing and Iran was also exporting oil to Israel. Iran had also established a pipeline to transport oil to Israel and then from there to Europe. There was also defense and security cooperation between the two countries. However, then the situation started changing and conflicts between the two began. 

Islamic revolution changed the relationship

In fact, after the Islamic revolution in 1979, Shah Pahlavi was ousted from power and the Islamic Republic of Iran was born. The leader of the revolution, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khamenei, came up with an idea in which Islamic outlook was promoted in the country. Relations with Western countries were ended and it was said to stand up for the Palestinians. By then the world was also aware of the action being taken against the Palestinians by Israel. 

Iran broke all ties with Israel citing atrocities against Palestinians. Citizens of both countries could no longer travel to each other’s countries. The Israeli embassy in Tehran was converted into the Palestinian embassy. Iran started showing itself to be standing with the Palestinians, due to which hostility with Israel kept increasing. It also started carrying out attacks on Israel through countries like Lebanon and Syria. This is where the deterioration of relations began.

What will be the impact of Iran-Israel tension on India? 

1. India’s Concern: Impact of Iran-Israel Tension on Diplomatic Relations
2. Evacuation Challenge: Ensuring Safety of Indian Citizens in Gulf
3. Economic Impact: Threat to Infrastructure Investments in Gulf
4. Chabahar Port: Security Concerns and Operational Challenges
5. Trade Disruption: INSTC Route Affected, Oil Prices Surge

At the same time, the effect of the clash between Iran and Israel is going to be seen on India as well. India has had cordial relations with both the countries. This is the reason why after Iran’s attacks, India immediately issued a statement and asked both the parties to maintain peace. India said that we are concerned about the growing hostility between the two countries. We urge Iran and Israel to immediately reduce tensions, exercise restraint, refrain from violence and return to the path of diplomacy. 

Around 10 thousand Indian citizens live in Iran, while their number in Israel is around 18 thousand. But if a large-scale war breaks out here, it will create a big problem for India. Lakhs of Indian citizens live in Gulf countries. In case of war, getting them all out will be the biggest challenge. One of the major concerns of New Delhi is that it has also invested a lot in infrastructure in Gulf countries, which is under threat due to war. 

In the last few years, the focus of Delhi-Tehran relations has been the development of Chabahar port, which is located just 200 km from the China-funded Gwadar port in Pakistan. In case of war, it will be difficult for India to operate Chabahar port. At the same time, the ‘International North South Transport Corridor’ (INSTC), which is a major trade route for India-Russia, has once again come into discussion. Trade through this route will be affected due to war.

Through INSTC, trade can be done with Central Asia and Russia via Iran. This is a cheaper and economical route than the Suez Canal. Not only this, but a war between these two countries can lead to an increase in oil prices. This will directly affect India, because it exports oil from Iran. The war will disrupt the supply of oil and prices will increase. Due to this, inflation can increase in India.

What will be the impact of Iran-Israel war on the world?

1. Global Concerns: Iran-Israel Conflict Sparks Fear Over Oil Supply
2. Oil Price Surge: Conflict Could Push Prices Above $100 per Barrel
3. Economic Impact: War Threatens World Economy Amid Slowdown

The rest of the world is also worried about the conflict between the two countries. The biggest reason for this is the supply of oil from the Gulf countries. The world is worried that if a war breaks out on a large scale, the oil prices will skyrocket. Due to the possibility of war, the oil prices have reached the highest level in six months. If a large-scale war breaks out, the oil prices will cross $100 per barrel. 

This war can cause great devastation to the world economy which is facing economic slowdown. The economy of the world is somehow based on oil, which means that the increase in prices will invite inflation.