Iran–Israel proxy conflict

{{Main|Iran–Israel relations|South Lebanon conflict (1985–2000)}}

Iranian Islamists have a long history of sympathizing with the Palestinians. In 1949, Iranian ayotallah Mahmoud Taleghani visited the West Bank and was moved by the plight of Palestinian refugees.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=24}} Taleqani then began advocating for Palestinians inside Iran in the 1950s and 1960s. After the Six-Day War in 1967, he started raising funds (e.g. zakat) inside Iran to be sent to Palestinians.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=24}} The Iranian government at the time was alarmed at these activities and SAVAK documents indicate that the government believed that the Iranian public was sympathetic to the Palestinian people.{{sfn|Alavi|2019|p=25}} Likewise Ruhollah Khomeini championed the Palestinian people before he became Iran's Supreme Leader in 1979. He also criticized the Pahlavi dynasty's ties with Israel, viewing Israel as a supporter of the Pahlavi regime.{{cite news|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/09/200849141128532972.html|title=Iran to examine Holocaust evidence|date=3 September 2006|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=27 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130608133253/http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/09/200849141128532972.html|archive-date=8 June 2013|url-status=live}} Following the 1979 Iranian revolution, Khomeini's new government adopted a policy of hostility towards Israel. The new Iranian government saw Israel as a colonial outpost.{{cite news|title=How does Iran fit into the war between Israel and Hamas?|last=Ioanes |first=Ellen |work=Vox |date=14 October 2023|url=https://www.vox.com/world-politics/2023/10/14/23917078/israel-hamas-war-gaza-iran-hezbollah-khamenei-lebanon}} Iran withdrew recognition of Israel as a state, and severed all diplomatic, commercial and other ties with Israel,{{cite web|last=Nikou|first=Semira N.|title=Timeline of Iran's Foreign Relations|url=http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/timeline-irans-foreign-relations|publisher=United States Institute of Peace|access-date=6 August 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130729215059/http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/timeline-irans-foreign-relations|archive-date=29 July 2013|url-status=dead}} referring to its government as the "Zionist regime"{{cite book |last=Selbourne |first=David |author-link=David Selbourne |date=2005 |title=The Losing Battle with Islam |publisher=Prometheus Books |page=[https://archive.org/details/losingbattlewith00selb/page/202 202] |isbn=978-1-59102-362-3 |url-access=registration |url=https://archive.org/details/losingbattlewith00selb/page/202}} and Israel as "occupied Palestine".

Despite the tension between the two countries, Israel provided support to Iran during the Iran–Iraq War from 1980 to 1988. During the war, Israel was one of the main suppliers of military equipment to Iran and also provided military instructors. Israel gave direct support to Iran's war effort when it bombed and destroyed Iraq's Osirak nuclear reactor in Operation Babylon. The nuclear reactor was considered a central component of Iraq's nuclear weapons program.{{Cite book|last=Trita Parsi|url=http://archive.org/details/treacherousallia00pars_0|title=Treacherous alliance|date=2007|publisher=Yale University Press|others=Internet Archive|isbn=978-0-300-12057-8}}

The 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon resulted in the departure of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) from Lebanon. The ensuing Israeli occupation of Southern Lebanon temporarily benefited Israeli allies in Lebanon and the civilian Israeli population with fewer violent attacks on Northern Israel by Hezbollah than previously by PLO in the 1970s.{{Citation needed|date=January 2024}} However, the wholesale massacres perpetrated by Israeli proxies (the Maronite Lebanese Forces and right-wing Phalangists) against Lebanese Shias had as a long-term consequence the emergence of a homegrown Lebanese, rather than Palestinian, resistance movement within South Lebanon, which by the second half of the 1990s was posing more strategic trouble to Israel than the PLO could pose in the 1970s.{{cite web | url=https://edition.cnn.com/2023/10/19/middleeast/hezbollah-explainer-intl/index.html | title=What to know about Hezbollah, the powerful Iran-backed group on Israel's border|publisher=CNN| date=19 October 2023|access-date=16 May 2024}}{{cite web | url=https://www.palestinechronicle.com/hezbollah-and-the-palestinians/ | title=Hezbollah and the Palestinians|work=The Palestine Chronicle|first=Franklin|last=Lamb|date=23 September 2008|access-date=16 May 2024}}

Iran has established a network of allies and proxy forces across the Middle East, which it describes as part of an "axis of resistance" aimed at opposing US and Israeli interests in the area. Israel views Iran as an existential threat on account of Tehran's rhetoric, its support for proxy forces in the region, and its arming and financing of Palestinian groups such as Hamas.{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68811276|title=Why has Israel attacked Iran?|publisher=BBC|access-date=14 January 2024}} In some cases, proxy groups evolved into political parties, a transition that was both encouraged and nurtured by Iran. These dual-role proxies earned political legitimacy while masking terrorist activities.{{cite book |last=Seliktar|first=Ofira|date= |title=Iran, Revolution, and Proxy Wars (Middle East Today)|url= |location= |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2020 edition (December 19, 2019)|page=17|isbn= |access-date=}} U.S. intelligence officials said they believe Iran does not seek a broader conflict, arguing that the primary goal of Iranian proxies is to target Israel and the United States in a way that avoids triggering a large-scale war.{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=U.S. and Iran Battle Through Proxies, Warily Avoiding Each Other|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/world/middleeast/us-iran-mideast-war.html|work=New York Times|location= |publisher=|url-status= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241227060643/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/world/middleeast/us-iran-mideast-war.html#selection-971.0-978.0|archive-date=27 December 2024|access-date=}}{{cite news |last= |first= |date= |title=Iran’s Dilemma: How to Preserve Its Proxies and Avoid Full-Scale War|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/14/world/middleeast/us-iran-mideast-war.html|work=New York Times|location= |publisher=|url-status= |archive-url=https://archive.today/20241231200314/https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/world/middleeast/iran-israel-hezbollah.html#selection-957.0-975.179|archive-date=31 December 2024|quote="After a series of humiliations, heightened by Israel’s intensified attacks on Hezbollah, Iran faces clear dilemmas. It wants to restore deterrence against Israel while avoiding a full-scale war between the two countries that could draw in the United States and, in combination, destroy the Islamic Republic at home. It wants to preserve the proxies that provide what it calls forward defense against Israel — Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis in Yemen — without going into battle on their behalf."}} The United States is considered to be Israel's largest "military backer".{{cite news|title=How far would the US go to defend Israel?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-67192779|newspaper=The BBC}}{{cite news|title=Israel Is a Strategic Liability for the United States

|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/03/22/israel-gaza-biden-netanyahu-security-united-states/|newspaper=Foreign Policy}} Germany, Britain, and Italy have also supplied weapons to Israel.{{cite news|title=Which countries supply Israel with arms and why is Biden reluctant to stop?|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/09/us-israel-weapons|newspaper=The Guardian}}{{cite news|title=Gaza war: Where does Israel get its weapons?|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-68737412|newspaper=The BBC}}

Starting in the 1960s, many Iranians (both leftist and religious) had volunteered to fight against Israel with various Palestinian organizations, including the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). Some of these volunteers, who had received training in Lebanon and Jordan, then returned to Iran to fight against the Shah.

Yasser Arafat visited Iran on 17 February 1979, becoming the first foreign leader to visit the country after the Islamic Revolution.{{cite news|title=When the road to Palestine passed through Iran|url=https://today.lorientlejour.com/article/1155297/when-the-road-to-palestine-passed-through-iran.html|work=L'Orient Today|date=31 January 2019|access-date=16 May 2024}} During Arafat's visit, Iran severed ties with Israel and expelled Israeli diplomats. The PLO found Iran's revolution inspiring, given that Khomenei, who had been exiled from his homeland, defeated a militarily powerful enemy supported by the US, something that the PLO thought it could replicate against Israel.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=51}} On the other hand, Palestinians felt Arab nationalism was at a dead end.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=51}} Arabs were defeated in the 1967 war, Jordan expelled the PLO in 1970 and Egypt recognized Israel in 1978.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=51}}

During the Iran hostage crisis, the PLO attempted to mediate with the Iranian students, but failed.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=60}} In addition, secret documents were allegedly discovered at the US embassy detailing Israeli support for the Shah's regime.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=58}}

At the start of the Iran-Iraq war, Yasser Arafat tried to mediate between Saddam Hussein and Khomenei.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=63}} Arafat feared the war would distract from the Palestinian cause.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=63}} Arafat travelled personally on 20 September 1980, to Baghdad and Tehran, but his efforts were unsuccessful. Arafat eventually sided with Iraq during the war.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=66}} Despite this, Iranian leaders kept a pro-Palestinian stance.{{Sfn|Alavi|2019|p=77}}

Following the Iranian Revolution and the fall of the Pahlavi dynasty in 1979, Iran adopted a sharp anti-Israel stance. Iran cut off all official relations with Israel. Iran also ceased to accept Israeli passports, and the holders of Iranian passports were banned from travelling to "the occupied Palestine".{{cite magazine |url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1902080,00.html |title=Roxana Saberi and How Journalism Works in Iran |first=Azadeh |last=Moaveni |author-link=Azadeh Moaveni |date=1 June 2009 |magazine=Time |publisher=Time Inc. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090611193912/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1902080,00.html |archive-date=11 June 2009 |access-date=25 January 2010 |quote=Israel also figures into the peculiar regulations Iranian journalists must contend with. The fine print of my Iranian passport clearly states that the bearer of this passport is forbidden from traveling to occupied Palestine." |url-status=dead}} The Israeli Embassy in Tehran was closed and handed over to the PLO.{{cite journal |last=Alavi| first=Bahram| title=Khomeini's Iran: Israel's Ally|journal=Washington Report|date=April 1988 |series=Special reports|url=http://www.wrmea.org/wrmea-archives/324-washington-report-archives-1988-1993/april-1988/9811-khomeinis-iran-israels-ally.html|access-date=3 August 2013}} Ayatollah Khomeini declared Israel an "enemy of Islam" and the "Little Satan".{{cite news |title=Iran to examine Holocaust evidence|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/archive/2006/09/200849141128532972.html|work=Al Jazeera|date=3 September 2006 |access-date=27 July 2012}} The United States was called the "Great Satan" while the Soviet Union was called the "Lesser Satan". Iran provided support for Islamist-Shia Lebanese parties, helping to consolidate them into a single political and military organization, Hezbollah, and providing them the ideological indoctrination, military training and equipment to attack Israeli and American targets.{{Cite news |date=2010-07-04 |title=Who are Hezbollah? |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4314423.stm |access-date=2020-10-12}}

In 1982, Israel invaded Lebanon. The leaders of the Lebanese Shia community appealed to Iran for help.{{sfn|Parsi|2007|p=102}} Khomeini sent his defense minister and military leaders to Syria to assist, however he eventually concluded that Iran could not fight a two-front war given its ongoing war with Iraq.{{sfn|Parsi|2007|p=103}}

Despite Israeli success in eradicating PLO bases and partial withdrawal in 1985, the Israeli invasion had actually increased the severity of conflict with local Lebanese militias and resulted in the consolidation of several local Shia Muslim movements in Lebanon, including Hezbollah and Amal, from a previously unorganized guerrilla movement in the south. Over the years, military casualties of both sides grew higher, as both parties used more modern weaponry, and Hezbollah progressed in its tactics.

Iran supplied the militant organization Hezbollah with substantial amounts of training, weapons, explosives, financial, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid while persuading Hezbollah to take action against Israel.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/10/14/in-the-party-of-god |title=In the Party of God: Are terrorists in Lebanon preparing for a larger war? |first=Jeffrey |last=Goldberg |magazine=The New Yorker |date=14 October 2002 |access-date=3 March 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150104073247/http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2002/10/14/in-the-party-of-god |archive-date=4 January 2015 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/148262 |title=Iran Massively Rearming Hezbollah in Violation of UN Security Council Resolution |work=American Chronicle |date=28 March 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919112340/http://www.americanchronicle.com/articles/view/148262 |archive-date=19 September 2011}}{{cite report |url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/10300.pdf |title=Background Information on Designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations |publisher=United States Department of State |access-date=23 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190527171921/https://2009-2017.state.gov/documents/organization/10300.pdf |archive-date=27 May 2019 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah's 1985 manifesto listed among its four main goals "Israel's final departure from Lebanon as a prelude to its final obliteration."{{cite book |last=Norton |first=Augustus |author-link=Augustus Richard Norton |title=Amal and the Shi'a: the struggle for the Soul of Lebanon |location=Austin |publisher=University of Texas Press |isbn=978-0-292-73040-3 |year=1987 |pages=167–187 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=p5VtAAAAMAAJ |access-date=5 April 2017 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916193702/https://books.google.com/books?id=p5VtAAAAMAAJ |url-status=live}} According to reports released in February 2010, Hezbollah received $400 million from Iran. By the early 1990s, Hezbollah, with support from Syria and Iran, emerged as the leading group and military power, monopolizing the directorship of the guerrilla activity in South Lebanon.{{citation needed|date=November 2023}}

Since Israel withdrew from Southern Lebanon and Hezbollah took over the assets of the South Lebanon Army in May 2000, the conflict continued at low-level, centering around the Shabaa Farms region.

With the election of Iranian hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in 2005, relations between Iran and Israel became increasingly tense as the countries engaged in a series of proxy conflicts and covert operations against each other.

File:Flickr - Israel Defense Forces - Iranian RPG Found in Lebanon (1).jpg"]]

During the 2006 Lebanon War, Iranian Revolutionary Guards (IRGC) were believed to have directly assisted Hezbollah fighters in their attacks on Israel. Multiple sources suggested that hundreds of Revolutionary Guard operatives participated in the firing of rockets into Israel during the war, and secured Hezbollah's long-range missiles. Revolutionary Guard operatives were allegedly seen operating openly at Hezbollah outposts during the war. In addition, Revolutionary Guard operatives were alleged to have supervised Hezbollah's attack on the INS Hanit with a C-802 anti-ship missile. The attack severely damaged the warship and killed four crewmen. It is alleged that between six and nine Revolutionary Guard operatives were killed by the Israeli military during the war. According to the Israeli media, their bodies were transferred to Syria and from there flown to Tehran.{{cite web |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3280446,00.html |title=Iranian soldiers join Hizbullah in fighting |first=Aaron |last=Klein |date=27 July 2006 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920100923/https://www.ynetnews.com/Ext/Comp/ArticleLayout/CdaArticlePrintPreview/1,2506,L-3280446,00.html |archive-date=20 September 2019 |url-status=live}} On 6 September 2007, the Israeli Air Force destroyed a suspected nuclear reactor in Syria, with ten North Koreans reportedly killed.{{cite news|author=Tak Kumakura |title=North Koreans May Have Died in Israel Attack on Syria, NHK Says |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=28 April 2008 |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aErPTWRFZpJI&refer=japan |access-date=28 April 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121103011551/http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=aErPTWRFZpJI&refer=japan |archive-date=3 November 2012 |url-status=live}}

During and immediately after the Gaza War, the Israeli Air Force, with the assistance of Israeli commandos, was reported to have allegedly carried out three airstrikes against Iranian arms being smuggled to Hamas through Sudan, as Iran launched an intensive effort to supply Hamas with weapons and ammunition. Israel hinted that it was behind the attacks. Two truck convoys were destroyed, and an arms-laden ship was sunk in the Red Sea.{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/report-israel-carried-out-3-attacks-on-sudan-arms-smugglers-1.273055 |title=Israel carried out 3 attacks on Sudan arms smugglers |date=28 March 2009 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023122737/https://www.haaretz.com/news/report-israel-carried-out-3-attacks-on-sudan-arms-smugglers-1.273055 |archive-date=23 October 2017 |url-status=live}}

On 4 November 2009, Israel captured a ship in the eastern Mediterranean Sea and its cargo of hundreds of tons of weapons allegedly bound from Iran to Hezbollah.

In June 2010 Stuxnet, an advanced computer worm was discovered. It is believed that it had been developed by US and Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/03/stuxnet-act-of-force/ |title=Legal Experts: Stuxnet Attack on Iran Was Illegal 'Act of Force' |magazine=Wired |date=25 March 2013 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507101948/http://www.wired.com/threatlevel/2013/03/stuxnet-act-of-force |archive-date=7 May 2013 |url-status=live |last1=Zetter |first1=Kim}} In a study conducted by ISIS it was estimated that Stuxnet might have damaged as many as 1,000 centrifuges (10% of all installed) in the Natanz enrichment plant.{{cite web |url=http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/stuxnet_FEP_22Dec2010.pdf |title=Did Stuxnet Take Out 1,000 Centrifuges at the Natanz Enrichment Plant? |website=Institute for Science and International Security |date=22 December 2010 |access-date=7 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120910192149/http://isis-online.org/uploads/isis-reports/documents/stuxnet_FEP_22Dec2010.pdf |archive-date=10 September 2012 |url-status=live}} Other computer viruses and malware, including Duqu and Flame, were reportedly related to Stuxnet.{{cite web |url=https://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/10/spotted-in-iran-trojan-duqu-may-not-be-son-of-stuxnet-after-all.ars |title=Spotted in Iran, trojan Duqu may not be "son of Stuxnet" after all |first=Jon |last=Brodkin |date=27 October 2011 |work=Ars Technica |access-date=27 October 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111028142535/http://arstechnica.com/business/news/2011/10/spotted-in-iran-trojan-duqu-may-not-be-son-of-stuxnet-after-all.ars |archive-date=28 October 2011 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18324234 |title=Flame: Attackers 'sought confidential Iran data' |last=Lee |first=Dave |date=4 June 2012 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=4 June 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120604181833/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-18324234 |archive-date=4 June 2012 |url-status=live}} Iran claims that its adversaries regularly engineer sales of faulty equipment and attacks by computer viruses to sabotage its nuclear program.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4500027,00.html |title=Iran: Israel, US are behind attempt to sabotage Arak reactor |date=17 March 2014 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180716225336/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4500027,00.html |archive-date=16 July 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/world/middleeast/iran-says-siemens-tried-to-sabotage-its-nuclear-program.html |title=Iran Says Nuclear Equipment Was Sabotaged |date=22 September 2012 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181117005300/https://www.nytimes.com/2012/09/23/world/middleeast/iran-says-siemens-tried-to-sabotage-its-nuclear-program.html |archive-date=17 November 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iran-official-german-firm-planted-bombs-in-parts-meant-for-nuclear-program-1.466214 |title=Iran official: German firm planted bombs in parts meant for nuclear program |date=22 September 2012 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316230700/http://www.haaretz.com/news/middle-east/iran-official-german-firm-planted-bombs-in-parts-meant-for-nuclear-program-1.466214 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |url-status=live}}

On 15 March 2011, Israel seized a ship from Syria bringing Iranian weapons to Gaza.{{cite news |title=Navy intercepts ship with Iranian arms bound for Hamas |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=212234 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=15 March 2011 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110324070043/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?ID=212234 |archive-date=24 March 2011 |url-status=live}} In addition, the Mossad was also suspected of being responsible for an explosion that reportedly damaged the nuclear facility at Isfahan. Iran denied that any explosion had occurred, but The Times reported damage to the nuclear plant based on satellite images, and quoted Israeli intelligence sources as saying that the blast indeed targeted a nuclear site, and was "no accident".{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4155246,00.html |title=Blast at Isfahan damaged nuclear facility |date=30 November 2011 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190711065703/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4155246,00.html |archive-date=11 July 2019 |url-status=live}} Hours after the blast took place, Hezbollah fired two rockets into northern Israel. The Israel Defense Forces reacted by firing four artillery shells at the area from where the launch originated. It was speculated that the attack was ordered by Iran and Syria as a warning to Israel.{{cite news |title=A message from Iran |first=Daniel |last=Nisman |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4154599,00.html |publisher=Ynet |date=29 November 2011 |access-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120423091716/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4154599,00.html |archive-date=23 April 2012 |url-status=live}} The Israeli attack was reported to have killed 7 people, including foreign nationals.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4160500,00.html |title=Iran: 7 killed in steel factory blast |publisher=Ynet |date=12 December 2011 |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623160919/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4160500,00.html |archive-date=23 June 2016 |url-status=live |last1=Cohen |first1=Dudi}} Another 12 people were injured, of whom 7 later died in hospital.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4162680,00.html |title=Iran: Factory blast death toll reaches 16 |first=Dudi |last=Cohen |date=16 December 2011 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190709211606/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4162680,00.html |archive-date=9 July 2019 |url-status=live}}

The Mossad was suspected of being behind an explosion at a Revolutionary Guard missile base in November 2011. The blast killed 17 Revolutionary Guard operatives, including General Hassan Moqaddam, described as a key figure in Iran's missile program.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/14/iran-explosion-missile-expert |title=Iranian missile expert killed in explosion |date=14 November 2011 |work=The Guardian |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210101654/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2011/nov/14/iran-explosion-missile-expert |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=live}} Israeli journalist Ron Ben-Yishai wrote that several lower-ranked Iranian missile experts had probably been previously killed in several explosions at various sites.

In response to Israeli covert operations, Iranian agents reportedly began trying to hit Israeli targets; potential targets were then placed on high alert. Yoram Cohen, the head of Shin Bet, claimed that three planned attacks in Turkey, Azerbaijan and Thailand were thwarted at the last minute.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/03/iran-israeli-targets-retaliation-scientists |title=Iran 'trying to attack Israeli targets in retaliation for scientists' deaths' |first=Harriet |last=Sherwood |date=3 February 2012 |work=The Guardian |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210104517/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/feb/03/iran-israeli-targets-retaliation-scientists |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=live}} On 11 October 2011, the United States claimed to have foiled an alleged Iranian plot that included bombing the Israeli and Saudi embassies in Washington DC and Buenos Aires.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/10/11/141240766/reports-terrorist-plot-tied-to-iran-disrupted |title='Factions' Of Iran's Government Behind Terrorist Plot, Holder Says |publisher=NPR |date=11 October 2011 |access-date=21 October 2011 |first1=John |last1=Stevens |first2=Oliver |last2=Tree |archive-date=1 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001230943/http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/10/11/141240766/reports-terrorist-plot-tied-to-iran-disrupted |url-status=live}}

On 13 February 2012, Israeli embassy staff in Georgia and India were targeted. In Georgia, a car bomb failed to explode near the embassy and was safely detonated by Georgian police. In India, the car bomb exploded, injuring four people. Amongst the wounded was the wife of an Israeli Defense Ministry employee.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4188985.html |title=Israeli missions in India, Georgia targeted |first=Aviel |last=Magnezi |date=13 February 2012 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211040031/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4188985.html |archive-date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live}} Israel accused Iran of being behind the attacks.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4189080,00.html |title=Netanyahu: Iran responsible for attacks on Israeli embassies |first=Moran |last=Azulay |date=13 February 2012 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118210409/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4189080,00.html |archive-date=18 November 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Israel-embassy-car-blast-Indian-intelligence-hints-at-Irans-hand/articleshow/11878760.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708001850/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-14/india/31058847_1_magnetic-bomb-mostafa-ahmadi-roshan-iranian-nuclear-scientists |url-status=live |archive-date=8 July 2012 |title=Israel embassy car blast: Indian intelligence hints at Iran's hand |date=14 February 2012 |newspaper=The Times of India |access-date=18 May 2016}} The following day, three alleged Iranian agents were uncovered in Bangkok, Thailand, thought to have been planning to kill Israeli diplomatic officials, including the ambassador, by attaching bombs to embassy cars. The cell was uncovered when one of their bombs exploded. Police responded, and the Iranian agent present at the house threw an explosive device at officers that tore his legs off, and was subsequently taken into custody. A second suspect was arrested as he tried to catch a flight out of the country, and the third escaped to Malaysia, where he was arrested by Royal Malaysian Police.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4190239,00.html |title=Malaysia police arrest suspect in Bangkok blasts |date=15 February 2012 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211035501/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4190239,00.html |archive-date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live}} Thai police subsequently arrested two people suspected of involvement.{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4191075,00.html |title=Thai police: 2 more suspects in terror case |date=17 February 2012 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211040028/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4191075,00.html |archive-date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live |last1=Ynet |first1=AP and}}{{cite news |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4189854,00.html |title=Thai official: Iran terrorists targeted Israeli diplomats |date=15 February 2012 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141211035415/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4189854,00.html |archive-date=11 December 2014 |url-status=live}} Indian police arrested a Delhi-based journalist in connection with February's car bomb. Journalist Syed Mohammed Kazmi was arrested on 6 March 2012, after being in contact with a suspect that police believe might have stuck a magnetic bomb to the diplomat's car. It is said Kazmi was an Indian citizen who worked for an Iranian publication.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17282420 |title=Indian journalist held for attack on Israeli envoy |date=7 March 2012 |publisher=BBC News India |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190908163014/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-17282420 |archive-date=8 September 2019 |url-status=live}}

On 18 July 2012, a bus carrying Israeli tourists in Bulgaria was destroyed in a bombing attack that killed five Israeli tourists and the Bulgarian driver, and injured 32 people. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu blamed Iran and Hezbollah for the attack.{{cite news |title=PM Netanyahu's Remarks Following Terror Attack in Bulgaria |url=http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=134486 |newspaper=Yeshiva World News |date=18 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-date=2 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200302003618/http://www.theyeshivaworld.com/article.php?p=134486 |url-status=live}} In July 2012, a senior Israeli defense official stated that since May 2011, more than 20 terrorist attacks planned by Iranians or suspected Hezbollah agents against Israeli targets worldwide had been foiled, including in South Africa, Azerbaijan, Kenya, Turkey, Thailand, Cyprus, Bulgaria, Nepal, Nigeria, and Peru, and that Iranian and Hezbollah operatives were incarcerated in jails throughout the world.{{cite news |title=PM reveals: South Africa attack against Israelis thwarted |first=Itamar |last=Eichner |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4258237,00.html |publisher=Ynet |date=20 July 2012 |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120723170326/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4258237,00.html |archive-date=23 July 2012 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Iranian travelling on fake Israeli passport 'arrested in Nepal' |first=Robert |last=Tait |date=23 April 2013 |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10013029/Iranian-travelling-on-fake-Israeli-passport-arrested-in-Nepal.html |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190629184112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/israel/10013029/Iranian-travelling-on-fake-Israeli-passport-arrested-in-Nepal.html |archive-date=29 June 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Nigeria nabs terrorists planning attacks on Israelis |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Nigeria-nabs-terrorists-planning-attacks-on-Israelis |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=21 February 2013 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926052124/https://www.jpost.com//Defense/Nigeria-nabs-terrorists-planning-attacks-on-Israelis |archive-date=26 September 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Nigeria foils latest Hezbollah plot to attack Israelis |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Nigeria-foils-latest-Hezbollah-plot-to-attack-Israelis-314942 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=30 May 2013 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180926052127/https://www.jpost.com//Middle-East/Nigeria-foils-latest-Hezbollah-plot-to-attack-Israelis-314942 |archive-date=26 September 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=Hezbollah member held in Peru for planning terror attack |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/.premium-1.623743 |newspaper=Haaretz |date=30 October 2014 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924210050/http://www.haaretz.com/news/world/.premium-1.623743 |archive-date=24 September 2015 |url-status=live}}

On 6 October 2012, Israeli airplanes shot down a small UAV as it flew over northern Negev.{{cite web |url=http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=286845 |title=IAF shoots down UAV in northern Negev |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=23 November 2011 |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130508182806/http://www.jpost.com/VideoArticles/Video/Article.aspx?id=286845 |archive-date=8 May 2013 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah confirmed it sent the drone and Nasrallah said in a televised speech that the drone's parts were manufactured in Iran.{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-lebanon-israel-drone-idUSBRE89A19J20121011 |title=Hezbollah confirms it sent drone downed over Israel |agency=Reuters|date=11 October 2012 |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141126082440/http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/11/us-lebanon-israel-drone-idUSBRE89A19J20121011 |archive-date=26 November 2014 |url-status=live |last1=Karouny |first1=Mariam}}

On 24 October 2012, Sudan claimed that Israel had bombed a munitions factory, allegedly belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guard, south of Khartoum.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/25/israeli-sudanese-factory-secret-war |title='Israeli attack' on Sudanese arms factory offers glimpse of secret war |first=Ian |last=Black |date=25 October 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190610082439/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/oct/25/israeli-sudanese-factory-secret-war |archive-date=10 June 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/9631769/Israeli-jets-bombed-weapons-factory-in-Khartoum-Sudan-claims.html |title=Israeli jets 'bombed weapons factory in Khartoum', Sudan claims |first=David |last=Blair |date=24 October 2012 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph |access-date=20 November 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711042604/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/africaandindianocean/sudan/9631769/Israeli-jets-bombed-weapons-factory-in-Khartoum-Sudan-claims.html |archive-date=11 July 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/10/20121024142531802810.html |publisher=Al Jazeera|date=25 October 2012 |access-date=25 October 2012 |title=Khartoum fire blamed on Israeli bombing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190414231902/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/africa/2012/10/20121024142531802810.html |archive-date=14 April 2019 |url-status=live}}

In November 2012, Israel reported that an Iranian ship was being loaded with rockets to be exported to countries within range of Israel and that Israel "will attack and destroy any shipment of arms".{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israeli-spy-satellites-spot-iranian-ship-being-loaded-with-rockets-for-gaza-1.480303 |title=Report: Israeli spy satellites spot Iranian ship being loaded with rockets for Gaza |date=25 November 2012 |newspaper=Haaretz |access-date=6 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141210115741/http://www.haaretz.com/news/diplomacy-defense/report-israeli-spy-satellites-spot-iranian-ship-being-loaded-with-rockets-for-gaza-1.480303 |archive-date=10 December 2014 |url-status=live}}

In January 2013, rumors were released that the Fordow Fuel Enrichment Plant had been hit by an explosion. Further reports by IAEA concluded that there had been no such incident.{{cite news |title=The IAEA Says It Has Inspectors at Iran's Fordo Nuclear Site And There Has Been No Explosion |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/massive-explosion-reported-at-irans-fordow-nuclear-facility-2013-1 |work=Business Insider |date=30 January 2013 |access-date=26 May 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130510140452/http://www.businessinsider.com/massive-explosion-reported-at-irans-fordow-nuclear-facility-2013-1 |archive-date=10 May 2013 |url-status=live}}

On 25 April 2013, an Israeli aircraft shot down a drone off the coast of Haifa, allegedly belonging to Hezbollah.{{cite news |title=IAF shoots down drone from Lebanon off Haifa |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/IAF-shoots-down-drone-which-flew-south-from-Lebanon-311098 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=25 April 2013 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928193723/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/IAF-shoots-down-drone-which-flew-south-from-Lebanon-311098 |archive-date=28 September 2013 |url-status=live}}

On 7 May 2013, residents of Tehran reported hearing three blasts in an area where Iran maintains its missile research and depots. Later, an Iranian website said the blasts occurred at a privately owned chemical factory.{{cite news |title=Triple explosion reportedly shakes western Tehran |first=Yakkov |last=Lappin |url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Triple-explosion-reportedly-shakes-western-Tehran-312431 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |date=8 May 2013 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181107100515/https://www.jpost.com//Middle-East/Triple-explosion-reportedly-shakes-western-Tehran-312431 |archive-date=7 November 2018 |url-status=live}}

On 10 December, Hamas announced that they have resumed ties with Iran after a brief cut off over the Syrian conflict.{{cite magazine |title=Hamas says it has resumed ties with Iran |url=http://www.thetower.org/hamas-official-declares-ties-iran-resumed-syria-driven-chill/ |date=11 December 2013 |magazine=The Tower |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829151530/http://www.thetower.org/hamas-official-declares-ties-iran-resumed-syria-driven-chill/ |archive-date=29 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

A court in Jerusalem has sentenced an Israeli man, Yitzhak Bergel, to four-and-a-half years in prison for offering to spy for Iran. Bergel belongs to the anti-Zionist Jewish group Neturei Karta.{{cite web |title=Israel jails anti-Zionist for offering to spy for Iran |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25934096 |publisher=BBC News |date=28 January 2014 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190620184552/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-25934096 |archive-date=20 June 2019 |url-status=live}}

On 5 March 2014, the Israeli navy intercepted the Klos-C cargo ship. Israel stated Iran was using the vessel to smuggle dozens of long-range rockets to Gaza, including Syrian-manufactured M-302 rockets. The operation, named Full Disclosure and carried out by Shayetet 13 special forces, took place in the Red Sea, 1,500 kilometers away from Israel and some 160 kilometers from Port Sudan.{{cite news |title=Israel Navy intercepts Gaza-bound Iranian rocket ship near Port Sudan |url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Israel-Navy-intercepts-Gaza-bound-Iranian-rocket-ship-near-Port-Sudan-344369 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |first=Yaakov |last=Lappin |date=5 March 2014 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140711174055/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Israel-Navy-intercepts-Gaza-bound-Iranian-rocket-ship-near-Port-Sudan-344369 |archive-date=11 July 2014 |url-status=live}}

Iranian media reported that on 24 August 2014, the IRGC had shot down an Israeli drone near Natanz fuel enrichment plant. The Israeli military did not comment on the reports.{{cite news |url=http://qz.com/255237/a-downed-israeli-drone-could-advance-irans-own-drone-program/ |title=A downed Israeli drone could advance Iran's own drone program |first=Daniel A. |last=Medina |date=26 August 2014 |work=Quartz |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190715142544/https://qz.com/255237/a-downed-israeli-drone-could-advance-irans-own-drone-program/ |archive-date=15 July 2019 |url-status=live}}

Two workers were killed in an explosion that took place at a military explosives factory southeast of Tehran, near the suspected nuclear reactor in Parchin.{{cite news |title=Report: Two dead after explosion in Iranian nuclear facility |url=http://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Report-Two-dead-after-explosion-in-Iranian-military-facility-378166 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |first1=Yasser |last1=Okbi |first2=Maariv |last2=Hashavua |date=6 October 2014 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190705235015/https://www.jpost.com/Breaking-News/Report-Two-dead-after-explosion-in-Iranian-military-facility-378166 |archive-date=5 July 2019 |url-status=live}} In what seemed to be a response ordered by Iran,{{cite news |title=Report: Hezbollah attack on Har Dov ordered by Iran following explosion at nuclear facility |url=http://www.jpost.com/International/Report-Hezbollah-attack-on-Har-Dov-ordered-by-Iran-following-explosion-at-nuclear-facility-378533 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |first1=Yasser |last1=Okbi |first2=Maariv |last2=Hashavua |date=10 October 2014 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811131500/https://www.jpost.com//International/Report-Hezbollah-attack-on-Har-Dov-ordered-by-Iran-following-explosion-at-nuclear-facility-378533 |archive-date=11 August 2018 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah set off an explosive device on the border between Lebanon and the Israeli-controlled side of the Shebaa farms, wounding two Israeli soldiers. Israel responded with artillery fire toward two Hezbollah positions in southern Lebanon.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/world/middleeast/israel-soldiers-wounded-hezbollah-explosions.html |title=Hezbollah Attack Along Border With Lebanon Wounds Two Israeli Soldiers |first1=Isabel |last1=Kershner |first2=Anne |last2=Barnard |date=7 October 2014 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=24 February 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161006204424/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/08/world/middleeast/israel-soldiers-wounded-hezbollah-explosions.html |archive-date=6 October 2016 |url-status=live}}

{{main|Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war}}

{{further|Hezbollah involvement in the Syrian civil war|Iranian involvement in the Syrian civil war}}

Israel and Syria have observed a truce since Israel reaffirmed its control over of most of the Golan Heights in the 1973 Yom Kippur War, but the Syrian Civil War, which began in 2011, has led to several incidents of fire exchange across the borders. The Israeli military was reported to be preparing itself for potential threats in case of a potential power vacuum in Syria. "After Assad and after establishing or strengthening their foothold in Syria, they are going to move and deflect their effort and attack Israel," an Israeli official told the Associated Press in January 2014. Some experts say that while the encroaching militant forces on Israel's border will heighten security measures, the advancements are not likely to create significant changes to Israel's policy disengagement in the Syria crisis.{{cite web|url=http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/golan-unrest-spells-new-militants-israels-syria-borders-1053014275#sthash.R0zbzcyN.dpuf|title=Golan unrest spells militant threat for Israel's Syria borders|last=Ibrahim|first=Arwa|date=12 September 2014|work=Middle East Eye|access-date=18 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160325153656/http://www.middleeasteye.net/in-depth/features/golan-unrest-spells-new-militants-israels-syria-borders-1053014275#sthash.R0zbzcyN.dpuf|archive-date=25 March 2016|url-status=live}}

In the Syrian Civil War, hoping to bolster its logistics and force projection capabilities in the area, Tehran aims to clear a path from the Iranian capital to Damascus and the Mediterranean coast.{{cite web|url=https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/race-iraqi-border-begins|title=The Race to the Iraqi Border Begins|last=Lamrani|first=Omar|date=20 June 2017|website=Stratfor|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171019190000/https://www.stratfor.com/weekly/race-iraqi-border-begins|archive-date=19 October 2017|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/16/iran-changes-course-of-road-to-mediterranean-coast-to-avoid-us-forces|title=Iran changes course of road to Mediterranean coast to avoid US forces|last=Chulov|first=Martin|date=16 May 2017|newspaper=The Guardian|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190415060434/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/may/16/iran-changes-course-of-road-to-mediterranean-coast-to-avoid-us-forces|archive-date=15 April 2019|url-status=live}} The Israeli government is convinced that Iran is interested in creating territorial contiguity from Iran to the Mediterranean and in transferring military forces – including naval vessels, fighter planes and thousands of troops – to permanent bases in Syria and is trying to "Lebanonize" Syria and take over using Shi'ite militias, as it had done with Hezbollah in Lebanon.{{cite news|url=http://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.808587|title=Netanyahu: I told Putin Iranian forces must be removed from Syria|last=Ravid|first=Barak|date=23 August 2017|newspaper=Haaretz|access-date=30 April 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171112173552/https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/1.808587|archive-date=12 November 2017|url-status=live}} As Israeli Defence Minister Avigdor Lieberman has warned, "everything possible will be done to prevent the existence of a Shi'ite corridor from Tehran to Damascus".{{cite news|url=https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/editorials/israel-acts-decisively-in-syria/news-story/f653dd97c97d6a8b38d618752f8c808d|title=Israel acts decisively in Syria|date=12 September 2017|newspaper=The Australian|access-date=22 May 2019}} In 2017, Israeli intelligence discovered an Iranian base being built in Syria just 50 km from the Israeli border.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-building-a-permanent-military-base-in-syria-report/|title=Iran building a permanent military base in Syria – report|date=10 November 2017|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190603151553/https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-building-a-permanent-military-base-in-syria-report/|archive-date=3 June 2019|url-status=live}}

The assistance provided by Iran's IRGC Quds Force under General Qasem Soleimani, Hezbollah, and Russia to the Syrian government enabled Bashar al-Assad to emerge victorious from the war in 2017, which ensured that the "worst-case scenario" for Israel, a contiguous "Axis of Resistance" stretching from Iran and Iraq through Syria to the Lebanese-Israeli border, had been realized. Mossad director Yossi Cohen said in 2018 that Israel's failure to prevent an Assad victory in Syria, together with Israel's failure to defeat Hezbollah in 2006, had meant that "[Iranian General] Qasem Soleimani, should he be so minded, could drive his car from Tehran to Lebanon's border with Israel without being stopped. And the same route would be open to truckloads of rockets bound for Iran's main regional proxy, Hezbollah."{{cite web | url=https://ctc.westpoint.edu/qassem-soleimani-irans-unique-regional-strategy/ | title=Qassem Soleimani and Iran's Unique Regional Strategy | date=8 November 2018}}

On several occasions between 2013 and 2017 Israel reportedly carried out or supported attacks on Hezbollah and Iranian targets within Syrian territories or Lebanon. One of the first reliably reported incidents took place on 30 January 2013, when Israeli aircraft struck a Syrian convoy allegedly transporting Iranian weapons to Hezbollah.{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=301562|title=Israel strikes Syrian weapons en route to Hezbollah|date=30 January 2013|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=22 May 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524170754/http://www.jpost.com/Defense/Article.aspx?id=301562|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=live}} Habitually, Israel refused to comment on the incident, a stance that is believed to seek to ensure that the Syrian government did not feel obliged to retaliate.

More incidents were attributed to the Israeli Air Force (IAF) in May 2013, December 2014 and April 2015. Some of those reports were confirmed by the Syrian Arab Republic, whereas others were denied. Israel systematically refused to comment on alleged targeting of Hezbollah and Ba'athist Syrian targets in Syrian territory. In 2015, suspected Hezbollah militants launched a retaliatory attack on Israeli forces in Shebaa farms as a response to an Israeli airstrike in the Syrian Golan that killed Hezbollah and IRGC senior operatives. In March 2017, Syria launched anti-aircraft missiles towards the Israeli-occupied part of the Golan Heights, allegedly targeting Israeli IAF aircraft, which Syria claimed were on their way to attack targets in Palmyra in Syria. After the incident, the State of Israel stated it was targeting weapons shipments headed toward anti-Israeli forces, specifically Hezbollah, located in Lebanon. Israel denied Syria's claim that one jet fighter was shot down and another damaged. Israel has not reported any pilots or aircraft missing in Syria, or anywhere else in the Middle East following the incident. According to some sources, the incident was the first time Israeli officials clearly confirmed an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah convoy during the Syrian Civil War.{{Cite news |url=http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-denies-claim-that-Syria-shot-down-Israeli-jet-484465 |title=Netanyahu: Syria strikes were to block transfer of weapons to Hezbollah |first=Anna |last=Ahronheim |date=17 March 2017 |newspaper=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=27 October 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317151325/http://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IDF-denies-claim-that-Syria-shot-down-Israeli-jet-484465 |archive-date=17 March 2017 |url-status=live}} As of September 2017, this was the only time such confirmation was issued.

In January 2014, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Iran's nuclear program would only be set back six weeks as a result of its interim agreement with the international community.{{cite news |url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/01/29/israel-netanyahu-says-iran-nuclear-deal-only-delays-program-by-six-weeks/ |title=Israel's Netanyahu says Iran nuclear program delayed six weeks by deal |date=29 January 2014 |publisher=Fox News |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010094536/http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/01/29/israel-netanyahu-says-iran-nuclear-deal-only-delays-program-by-six-weeks/ |archive-date=10 October 2015 |url-status=live}}

In one of the region's oddest pairings, Israel and the Gulf Arab states led by Saudi Arabia increasingly are finding common ground – and a common political language – on their mutual dismay over the prospect of a nuclear deal in Geneva that could curb Tehran's atomic program but leave the main elements intact, such as uranium enrichment.{{cite news |first=Brian |last=Murphy |url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-gulf-strange-alliance-against-iran-182926144.html |title=Israel, Gulf in 'Strange Alliance' Against Iran |agency=Associated Press |publisher=Yahoo News |date=20 November 2013 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181126005829/https://www.yahoo.com/news/israel-gulf-strange-alliance-against-iran-182926144.html |archive-date=26 November 2018 |url-status=live}} In June 2017, former Israeli Defense Minister Moshe Ya'alon stated that "We and the Arabs, the same Arabs who organized in a coalition in the Six-Day War to try to destroy the Jewish state, today find themselves in the same boat with us ... The Sunni Arab countries, apart from Qatar, are largely in the same boat with us since we all see a nuclear Iran as the number one threat against all of us".{{cite news |url=http://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/yaalon-no-more-arab-coalition-against-us-also-containment-is-victory/2017/06/05/ |title=Ya'alon: No More Arab Coalition Against Us, Also Containment Is Victory |date=5 June 2017 |newspaper=The Jewish Press |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190801032255/https://www.jewishpress.com/news/eye-on-palestine/yaalon-no-more-arab-coalition-against-us-also-containment-is-victory/2017/06/05/ |archive-date=1 August 2019 |url-status=live}}

Beginning in January 2017, the Israeli Air Force began flying almost daily attack missions against Iranian targets in Syria, dropping about 2,000 bombs in 2018 alone. Some Iranian targets were also attacked by Israeli surface-to-surface missiles or in raids by Israeli special forces. According to former IDF chief of staff Gadi Eizenkot, the decision to strike Iranian bases in Syria was made after Iran changed its strategy in 2016 as the US-led military intervention against ISIL was drawing to an end, planning to exploit the power vacuum to establish hegemony in Syria, building bases and bringing in foreign Shiite fighters. Although the full extent of the campaign would not be revealed until 2019, by early December 2017 the Israeli Air Force confirmed it had attacked arms convoys of Ba'athist Syria and Lebanon's Hezbollah nearly 100 times during more than six years of the conflict in Syria. In January 2019, Eizenkot claimed that up to that point, only a few dozen Iranian military personnel had been killed in the attacks, as Israel had taken care to primarily target Iranian infrastructure while sparing personnel so as not to give Iran any pretext to retaliate.{{cite web |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-attack/israeli-missiles-hit-military-post-near-damascus-syrian-state-tv-idUSKBN1DW081 |title=Israeli missiles hit military post near Damascus: Syrian state TV |date=2 December 2017 |agency=Reuters|access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215230431/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-crisis-syria-attack/israeli-missiles-hit-military-post-near-damascus-syrian-state-tv-idUSKBN1DW081 |archive-date=15 February 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=IDF chief reveals Israel's 'silent' war on Iran |first=Daniel |last=Bettini |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5445834,00.html |publisher=Ynet |date=13 January 2019 |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190730070630/https://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-5445834,00.html |archive-date=30 July 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{main|Mossad infiltration of Iranian nuclear archive}}

It was reported that the Mossad stole nuclear secrets from a secure warehouse in Tehran in January 2018. According to reports, the agents came in a truck semitrailer at midnight, cut into dozens of safes with "high intensity torches", and carted out "50,000 pages and 163 compact discs of memos, videos and plans" before leaving in time to make their escape when the guards came for the morning shift at 7 am.{{cite magazine |last1=Filkins |first1=Dexter |title=TheTwilight of the Iranian Revolution |magazine=The New Yorker |date=18 May 2020 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/the-twilight-of-the-iranian-revolution |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=16 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210316172411/https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/05/25/the-twilight-of-the-iranian-revolution |url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Sanger |first1=David E. |last2=Bergman |first2=Ronen |title=How Israel, in Dark of Night, Torched Its Way to Iran's Nuclear Secrets |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/us/politics/iran-israel-mossad-nuclear.html |work=The New York Times |date=15 July 2018 |access-date=6 July 2021 |archive-date=10 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210710195501/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/15/us/politics/iran-israel-mossad-nuclear.html |url-status=live}} According to the Israelis, the documents and files (which it shared with European countries and the United States),[https://www.timesofisrael.com/european-intelligence-officials-briefed-in-israel-on-irans-nuclear-archive/ European intelligence officials briefed in Israel on Iran's nuclear archive] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709185616/https://www.timesofisrael.com/european-intelligence-officials-briefed-in-israel-on-irans-nuclear-archive/ |date=9 July 2021}} The Times of Israel, 5 May 2018 demonstrated that the Iranian AMAD Project aimed to develop nuclear weapons, that Iran had a nuclear program when it claimed to have "largely suspended it", and that there were two nuclear sites in Iran that had been hidden from inspectors.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/mossads-stunning-op-in-iran-casts-giant-shadow-over-the-intelligence-it-stole/ Mossad's stunning op in Iran overshadows the actual intelligence it stole] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210519193341/https://www.timesofisrael.com/mossads-stunning-op-in-iran-casts-giant-shadow-over-the-intelligence-it-stole/ |date=19 May 2021}} The Times of Israel, 1 May 2018 This was followed by the Trump administration withdrawing the United States from the JCPOA and reimposing US sanctions on Iran.{{Cite news|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-recording-netanyahu-boasts-israel-convinced-trump-to-quit-iran-nuclear-deal/amp/|title=In recording, Netanyahu boasts Israel convinced Trump to quit Iran nuclear deal|last=Fulbright|first=Alexander|date=17 July 2018|work=The Times of Israel|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=9 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709193647/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-recording-netanyahu-boasts-israel-convinced-trump-to-quit-iran-nuclear-deal/amp/|url-status=live}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-46071747|title=Trump administration to reinstate all Iran sanctions|date=3 November 2018|publisher=BBC News|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114131200/https://www.bbc.com/news/amp/world-us-canada-46071747|url-status=live}} Shortly after retiring as head of Mossad, Yossi Cohen admitted he oversaw the operation to steal the Iranian documents during a televised interview in June 2021.[https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-stunning-revelatory-interview-mossad-chief-warns-iran-defends-netanyahu/ In stunning, revelatory interview, ex-Mossad chief warns Iran, defends Netanyahu] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210709142100/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-stunning-revelatory-interview-mossad-chief-warns-iran-defends-netanyahu/ |date=9 July 2021}} The Times of Israel, 11 June 2021 Benjamin Netanyahu's 2022 book revealed several new details of the operation, including an intent to sabotage the nuclear program by stealing irreplaceable documents, in addition to proving its mere existence.{{Cite news |title=Netanyahu reveals new details on Mossad's operations in Iran |language=en-US |work=The Jerusalem Post |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-719821 |access-date=2023-02-17}}

{{main|2019 Israeli airstrikes in Iraq}}

In July 2019, it was reported that Israel had expanded its strikes against Iranian missile shipments to Iraq, with Israeli F-35 combat planes allegedly striking Iranian targets in Iraq twice.{{cite news |title=Israel said to hit Iranian sites in Iraq, expanding strikes on missile shipments |first=Michael |last=Bachner |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-hit-iranian-sites-in-iraq-expanding-strikes-on-missile-shipments/ |newspaper=The Times of Israel |date=30 July 2019 |access-date=24 August 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731150006/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-hit-iranian-sites-in-iraq-expanding-strikes-on-missile-shipments/ |archive-date=31 July 2019 |url-status=live}}

Israeli airstrikes reportedly targeted Iran-backed militias in Iraq during 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/American-officials-confirm-Israeli-strikes-in-Iraq-report-599465|title=American officials confirm Israel behind strikes in Iraq – report|last=Tercatin|first=Rosella|date=23 August 2019|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=13 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190913133856/https://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/American-officials-confirm-Israeli-strikes-in-Iraq-report-599465|archive-date=13 September 2019|url-status=live}}

On 16 September 2019, air strikes, targeting three positions of the Iranian Revolutionary Guards and allied Iraqi militias, killed at least 10 pro-Iranian militiamen in Albu Kamal, Syria. The strikes were allegedly blamed on Israel.{{Cite web|url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/1568674627-strikes-target-iran-backed-militias-on-iraq-syria-border-reports|title=Air strikes kill 10 pro-Iran Iraqi fighters in Syria|work=i24NEWS |access-date=2019-09-17|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105185814/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/international/middle-east/1568674627-strikes-target-iran-backed-militias-on-iraq-syria-border-reports|archive-date=5 November 2019|url-status=live}} According to the Time, the increase of Iran-Israel tension concurs with discussion of a possible rapprochement between Iran and the U.S.{{Cite web |url= https://time.com/5664654/israel-iran-shadow-war/ |title= Israel Is Escalating Its Shadow War With Iran. Here's What to Know. |date= 29 August 2019 |access-date= 5 December 2019 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20191122130144/https://time.com/5664654/israel-iran-shadow-war/ |archive-date= 22 November 2019 |url-status= live}}

{{anchor|2019 Qousaya attack}}According to Lebanese media reports, on 26 August 2019, Israeli drones attacked a Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) position in Qousaya, located in the Beqaa Valley of Lebanon, close to the border with Syria. The attack came a day after two drones exploded in the Lebanese capital Beirut.{{Cite web| url=https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IAF-jets-strike-in-Lebanon-a-position-owned-by-PFLP-599706| title=Lebanese President: Israeli attacks are a declaration of war – Arab-Israeli Conflict|work=The Jerusalem Post| date=26 August 2019| access-date=9 January 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191127064746/https://www.jpost.com/Arab-Israeli-Conflict/IAF-jets-strike-in-Lebanon-a-position-owned-by-PFLP-599706| archive-date=27 November 2019| url-status=live}}{{Cite web| url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/israel-strikes-palestinian-base-lebanon-reports-190826071121071.html| title=Lebanon president: Israel drone attack a declaration of war| publisher=Al Jazeera| access-date=9 January 2020| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190826234311/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/08/israel-strikes-palestinian-base-lebanon-reports-190826071121071.html| archive-date=26 August 2019| url-status=live}} According to an official from the Palestinian position in the town three air strikes hit the PFLP-GC military position in Quasaya early morning 26 August 2019 causing only material damage.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-security-lebanon-israel-idUSKCN1VG013|title=Lebanese defiant after drone strikes, Israelis near border unfazed|agency=Reuters|date=26 August 2019 |access-date=9 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191218152151/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-mideast-security-lebanon-israel-idUSKCN1VG013|archive-date=18 December 2019|url-status=live}}

On 27 July 2020, explosions and exchange of fire were heard during a "security incident" at the border between the Israeli-occupied Golan Heights and Lebanon.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-lebanon-idUSKCN24S1KN|title=Netanyahu warns Hezbollah against playing with fire after frontier incident|date=27 July 2020|agency=Reuters|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=30 December 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230015755/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-lebanon-idUSKCN24S1KN|url-status=live}} The incident involved Israeli soldiers and four Hezbollah fighters who allegedly crossed the border, and came days after a Hezbollah member was killed by Israeli airstrikes in Syria and an Israeli drone crashed in Lebanon.{{cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/israeli-army-drones-crashed-lebanon-200726194846685.html|title=Israeli army says one of its drones crashed inside Lebanon|publisher=Al Jazeera|date=26 July 2020|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010154738/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/26/israeli-army-says-one-of-its-drones-crashed-inside-lebanon//|url-status=live}} The Israel Defense Forces said that there were no Israeli casualties and that the four Hezbollah fighters fled back to Lebanon after being shot at. However, Hezbollah denied that their forces attacked the Israeli army, and said that their fighters had not crossed the border. The group said that Israel opened fire first. Two dozen explosions were heard in Lebanon; an Israeli shell smashed in a civilian home, narrowly missing a family in the house at the time, but nobody was hurt.{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-lebanon-hezbollah-statement-idUSKCN24S276|title=Lebanon's Hezbollah denies infiltration attempt or clashes near Lebanese frontier|date=27 July 2020|agency=Reuters|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010154747/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-lebanon-hezbollah-statement-idUSKCN24S276|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/1595856078-israel-heavy-exchanges-of-fire-reported-on-border-with-lebanon|title=i24NEWS|website=i24 News|date=27 July 2020 |access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=10 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201010150919/https://www.i24news.tv/en/news/israel/diplomacy-defense/1595856078-israel-heavy-exchanges-of-fire-reported-on-border-with-lebanon|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/exchange-fire-israel-lebanon-border-israeli-media-200727130940141.html|title=Lebanon's Hezbollah accuses Israel of fabricating border clash|first=Timour|last=Azhari|website=Al Jazeera English|access-date=29 October 2020|archive-date=8 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200908232618/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/07/exchange-fire-israel-lebanon-border-israeli-media-200727130940141.html|url-status=live}}

{{see also|2020 Iran explosions}}

The US assassinated Qasem Soleimani on 3 January, reversing policy of the prior administration which had warned Iran of Israeli attempts at assassinating Soleimani. The Iranians retaliated with Operation Martyr Soleimani, in which 11 Qiam 1 missiles hit Al-Asad Airbase, causing traumatic brain injuries to 110 American soldiers. On the same day, the IRGC mistakenly shot down Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752, killing all 176 passengers and crew aboard, including 82 Iranian citizens. This triggered another wave of Iranian anti-government protests (part of the larger 2019–2020 Iranian protests), with many Iranians calling for the removal of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.{{cite news |date=13 January 2020 |title=Iranian protesters call for Khamenei's resignation over plane crash |newspaper=Axios|first1=Rashaan|last1=Ayesh|first2=Rebecca|last2=Falconer |url=https://www.axios.com/iran-protesters-khamenei-resignation-ukraine-plane-crash-e96337fc-601d-45de-90ea-77c9628608c0.html}} When giant U.S. and Israeli flags were painted on the ground for crowds of Iranian protestors to trample on them, according to video filmed at the scene that has been verified by NBC News, the crowds of people outside Beheshti University refused to trample over them.{{Cite web |title=Iranians refuse to trample on U.S. and Israeli flags as protests flare |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/iran-protests-crowds-tehran-refuse-walk-u-s-israeli-flags-n1114371 |access-date=2023-02-20 |publisher=NBC News |date=13 January 2020 |language=en}}

On 9 May 2020, Israel was reportedly behind a cyberattack that disrupted the Shahid Rajaee port in the Strait of Hormuz, causing traffic jams of delivery trucks and delays in shipments. It was suggested the attack was a response to a failed Iranian cyberattack on an Israeli water facility of the Sharon central region in April.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/world/middleeast/israel-iran-cyberattacks.html|title=Israel Hack of Iran Port Is Latest Salvo in Exchange of Cyberattacks|website=The New York Times|first1=Ronen|last1=Bergman|first2=David M.|last2=Halbfinger|date=19 May 2020|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=11 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200711131045/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/19/world/middleeast/israel-iran-cyberattacks.html|url-status=live}}

In June and July, a series of explosions targeted Iran's nuclear and missile programs and various other infrastructure. There were accidents and damages reported in the Parchin military complex near Tehran on 26 June, the Sina At'har clinic in Northern Tehran on 30 June,{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/01/tehran-gas-explosion-at-iran-medical-clinic-kills-19 |title=Gas explosion at Iran medical clinic kills 19 |website=The Guardian |date=1 July 2020 |access-date=5 July 2020 |archive-date=9 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309001344/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/jul/01/tehran-gas-explosion-at-iran-medical-clinic-kills-19 |url-status=live}} the Natanz nuclear facility on 2 July, the Shahid Medhaj power plant (Zargan) in Ahvaz and the Karun petrochemical center in the city of Mahshahr on 4 July. It has been speculated that Israel was involved,{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-reportedly-damages-power-plant-in-iran-the-latest-in-series-of-blasts/|title=Explosion reportedly damages power plant in Iran, the latest in series of blasts|website=The Times of Israel|date=4 July 2020|access-date=4 July 2020|archive-date=9 March 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210309002244/https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-reportedly-damages-power-plant-in-iran-the-latest-in-series-of-blasts/|url-status=live}} and the damage at the centrifuge plant in Natanz alone could delay the Iranian nuclear weapons program by one or two years, according to intelligence officials.{{cite web|url=https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/.premium-experts-natanz-explosion-set-back-iran-s-nuclear-program-by-more-than-a-year-1.8978343|title=Experts: Natanz Explosion Set Back Iran's Nuclear Program by More Than a Year|website=Haaretz|first=Amos|last=Harel|date=8 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=10 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210410220147/https://www.haaretz.com/middle-east-news/iran/.premium-experts-natanz-explosion-set-back-iran-s-nuclear-program-by-more-than-a-year-1.8978343|url-status=live}} On 6 July, another explosion occurred at the Sepahan Boresh factory in the city of Baqershahr.{{cite web|url=https://m.jpost.com/middle-east/2-killed-in-explosion-at-factory-south-of-tehran-report-634114|title=Explosion reported at factory near Iran nuclear archive site|website=The Jerusalem Post|first=Tzvi|last=Joffre|date=7 July 2020|access-date=7 July 2020|archive-date=16 September 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916193704/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/2-killed-in-explosion-at-factory-south-of-tehran-report-634114|url-status=live}} On 9 July, explosions were reported at a missile depot belonging to Iran's Revolutionary Guards Corps west of Tehran.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosions-power-outages-reported-near-tehran-634574|title=Explosions, power outages reported near Tehran|website=The Jerusalem Post|first=Tzvi|last=Joffre|date=10 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716005056/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosions-power-outages-reported-near-tehran-634574|url-status=live}} On 11 July, an explosion took place at the basement of an old two-story house containing gas cylinders in northern Tehran.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-shakes-buildings-in-tehran-report-634731|title=Explosion shakes buildings in Tehran – report|website=The Jerusalem Post|first1=Tzvi|last1=Joffre|first2=Tamar|last2=Uriel-Beeri|date=12 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716053900/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-shakes-buildings-in-tehran-report-634731|url-status=live}} On 12 July, a fire broke out at the Shahid Tondgooyan Petrochemical Company in southwest Iran.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/fire-breaks-out-at-petrochemical-facility-in-southwest-iran-634833|title=Fire breaks out at petrochemical facility in southwest Iran|website=The Jerusalem Post|date=12 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716005056/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/fire-breaks-out-at-petrochemical-facility-in-southwest-iran-634833|url-status=live}} On 13 July, an explosion occurred at a gas condensate plant of the Kavian Fariman industrial zone in the Razavi Khorasan province.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-at-gas-plant-in-iran-report-634916|title=Explosion, fire at gas plant in east Iran|website=The Jerusalem Post|first=Tzvi|last=Joffre|date=13 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716005050/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-at-gas-plant-in-iran-report-634916|url-status=live}} On 15 July, a large fire broke out at a shipyard in the city of Bushehr, spreading to seven wooden boats.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-7-ships-catch-fire-at-port-in-iran-report/|title=7 wooden boats catch fire in shipyard at Iran port|website=The Times of Israel|date=15 July 2020|access-date=16 July 2020|archive-date=16 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200716030228/https://www.timesofisrael.com/at-least-7-ships-catch-fire-at-port-in-iran-report/|url-status=live}} On 18 July, an oil pipeline exploded in the Ahvaz region in Southern Iran.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-latest-in-series-of-blasts-explosion-reported-at-iranian-oil-pipeline/|title=In latest in series of blasts, explosion reported at Iranian oil pipeline|website=The Times of Israel|date=18 July 2020|access-date=18 July 2020|archive-date=8 February 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210208125949/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-latest-in-series-of-blasts-explosion-reported-at-iranian-oil-pipeline/|url-status=live}} On 19 July, another explosion took place in a power station in Isfahan.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-latest-in-series-of-blasts-in-iran-explosion-hits-power-plant-in-isfahan/|title=In yet another blast in Iran, explosion hits power plant in Isfahan|website=The Times of Israel|date=19 July 2020|access-date=19 July 2020|archive-date=14 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114125640/https://www.timesofisrael.com/in-latest-in-series-of-blasts-in-iran-explosion-hits-power-plant-in-isfahan/|url-status=live}} On 4 August, a massive explosion took place at the Beirut port caused by ammonium nitrate that was stored at the place. According to the German newspaper Die Welt, Iran supplied Hezbollah with hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate between 2013 and 2014, while around that time Lebanon confiscated thousands of tons of the explosive substance that years later led to the blast.{{cite web|url=http://www.timesofisrael.com/report-iran-sold-hezbollah-hundreds-of-tons-of-ammonium-nitrate-in-2013/amp/|title=Report: Iran sold Hezbollah hundreds of tons of ammonium nitrate in 2013|website=The Times of Israel|date=20 August 2020}}

Abdullah Ahmed Abdullah, the second-in-command of al-Qaeda, was killed on 7 August 2020 in Tehran.{{Cite news |title=Revealing Assassination of Al-Qaida's No. 2 Was Message to Biden, Israeli Sources Say |language=en |work=Haaretz|first=Yaniv|last=Kubovich|date=17 November 2020 |url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2020-11-17/ty-article/.highlight/revealing-assassination-of-al-qaidas-no-2-is-message-to-biden-israeli-sources-sa/0000017f-ef01-d4a6-af7f-ffc736650000 |access-date=2023-07-24}}

Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, head of Iran's nuclear weapons program, was assassinated on 27 November 2020 in Absard.{{Cite news |title=Iran's nuclear program chief Mohsen Fakhrizadeh assassinated near Tehran |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iranian-nuclear-scientist-assassinated-near-tehran-report-650457 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=27 November 2020 |access-date=28 November 2020 |archive-date=27 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201127231122/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iranian-nuclear-scientist-assassinated-near-tehran-report-650457 |url-status=live}}

Israeli commandos carried out attacks which damaged numerous Iranian cargo ships carrying oil and weapons to Syria from late 2019 to 2021.{{Cite news |title=Israel's Shadow War With Iran Moves Out to Sea |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/26/world/middleeast/israel-iran-shadow-war.html |work=The New York Times|first1=Patrick|last1=Kingsley|first2=Ronen|last2=Bergman|first3=Farnaz|last3=Fassihi|first4=Eric|last4=Schmitt |date=26 March 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=7 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407152428/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/26/world/middleeast/israel-iran-shadow-war.html |url-status=live}} Israeli-owned ships were attacked in the Gulf of Oman and the Arabian Sea, allegedly by Iran.{{Cite news |title=Israeli-owned ship hit by missile in suspected Iranian attack: Israeli official |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-ship-missiles-idUSKBN2BH2F5 |agency=Reuters|date=25 March 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=7 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407122325/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-israel-ship-missiles-idUSKBN2BH2F5 |url-status=live}} Israel was also reportedly behind an attack on an Iranian intelligence ship of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Navy in the Red Sea, which was heavily damaged by a limpet mine in April 2021.{{Cite news |title=Iranian vessel, said to be IRGC-linked spy ship, hit by limpet mine in Red Sea |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/reports-iranian-spy-ship-struck-by-missile-in-the-red-sea/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=6 April 2021 |access-date=8 April 2021 |archive-date=7 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210407184224/https://www.timesofisrael.com/reports-iranian-spy-ship-struck-by-missile-in-the-red-sea/ |url-status=live}}

On 10 April 2021, Iran began injecting uranium hexafluoride gas into advanced IR-6 and IR-5 centrifuges at Natanz, but an accident occurred in the electricity distribution network the next day due to Mossad activity, according to Western and Iranian sources.{{Cite news |title='Mossad behind attack on Iran's Natanz nuclear facility' |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/incident-reported-in-iranian-natanz-nuclear-facility-664792 |work=The Jerusalem Post|first1=Yonah|last1=Jeremy Bob|first2=Lahav|last2=Harkov|first3=Tzvi|last3=Joffre |date=13 April 2021 |access-date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=13 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210413225422/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/incident-reported-in-iranian-natanz-nuclear-facility-664792 |url-status=live}} On 13 April 2021, in what seemed to be an Iranian response, an Israeli-owned ship was attacked by a missile or a drone near the shores of the Fujairah emirate in the United Arab Emirates, causing light damage to the vessel.{{Cite news |title=Iran fires missile at Israeli-owned ship near UAE – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/israeli-ship-attacked-near-uae-report-665030 |work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Tzvi|last=Joffre |date=14 April 2021 |access-date=14 April 2021 |archive-date=14 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210414002701/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/israeli-ship-attacked-near-uae-report-665030 |url-status=live}} On 24 April, an Iranian fuel tanker was reportedly attacked off the Syrian coast by an Israeli drone, causing damage but no casualties.{{Cite news |title=Iranian fuel tanker attacked by drone, Israel suspected |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/syrian-oil-tanker-damaged-after-being-hit-by-suspected-drone-attack-666224 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=24 April 2021 |access-date=25 April 2021 |archive-date=24 April 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424223815/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/syrian-oil-tanker-damaged-after-being-hit-by-suspected-drone-attack-666224 |url-status=live}}

On 7 May, a massive fire broke out in Iran's southwestern city of Bushehr near the only functioning nuclear power plant of the country. The IRGC-affiliated Tasnim News Agency reported that the fire was intentional, although its cause was unknown.{{Cite news |title=Massive fire breaks out near Iran's Bushehr nuclear power plant – Watch |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/massive-fire-breaks-out-near-irans-bushehr-nuclear-power-plant-report-667581 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=8 May 2021 |access-date=9 May 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509014117/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/massive-fire-breaks-out-near-irans-bushehr-nuclear-power-plant-report-667581 |url-status=live}} On 9 May, an explosion occurred at an oil tanker off the coast of Syria, causing a small fire in one of its engines.{{Cite news |title=Mysterious explosion on oil tanker off coast of Syria – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-on-ship-off-coast-of-syria-report-667669 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=9 May 2021 |access-date=10 May 2021 |archive-date=9 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210509220158/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/explosion-on-ship-off-coast-of-syria-report-667669 |url-status=live}} On 23 May, at least nine people were injured in a blast at an Iranian plant that reportedly produces UAVs in Isfahan. The blast occurred after Prime Minister Netanyahu said a drone armed with explosives that was downed by Israeli forces earlier in the week was launched by Iran toward Israel from either Syria or Iraq, amid the fighting in Gaza.{{Cite news |title=Iran reports explosion at plant that reportedly produces UAVs |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-reports-explosion-at-plant-that-reportedly-produces-uavs |work=The Times of Israel |date=23 May 2021 |access-date=24 May 2021 |archive-date=23 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210523223450/https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-reports-explosion-at-plant-that-reportedly-produces-uavs/ |url-status=live}} On 26 May, an explosion took place at a petrochemical complex in the city of Asaluyeh in Southern Iran, killing a worker and injuring two.{{Cite news |title=Blast at Iran petrochemical complex kills a worker and injures 2 |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/blast-at-iran-petrochemical-complex-kills-a-worker-and-injures-2/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=26 May 2021 |access-date=26 May 2021 |archive-date=26 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210526121436/https://www.timesofisrael.com/blast-at-iran-petrochemical-complex-kills-a-worker-and-injures-2/ |url-status=live}}

On 2 June, a fire broke out at an Iranian navy vessel, the IRIS Kharg, near the port of Jask in the Gulf of Oman, although the entire crew was able to safely disembark before the ship sank.{{Cite news |title=Fire on Iran navy ship at mouth of Gulf, crew evacuated -report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-navy-training-ship-on-fire-at-mouth-of-gulf-crew-evacuated-report-669843 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=2 June 2021 |access-date=2 June 2021 |archive-date=1 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210601235151/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-navy-training-ship-on-fire-at-mouth-of-gulf-crew-evacuated-report-669843 |url-status=live}}{{Cite news |title=Iran's biggest navy ship sinks after fire in Gulf of Oman – media |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-navy-training-ship-fire-mouth-gulf-crew-evacuated-report-2021-06-01/ |agency=Reuters|date=2 June 2021 |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=3 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210603034312/https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-navy-training-ship-fire-mouth-gulf-crew-evacuated-report-2021-06-01/ |url-status=live}} Later in the day there was a gas leak at an oil refinery in Tehran which caused a massive fire. No injuries were reported.{{Cite news |title=Iran Says Refinery Engulfed in Fire to Be Back Online Thursday |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-02/large-fire-engulfs-oil-refinery-in-iran-s-capital-state-tv-says |publisher=Bloomberg News |date=2 June 2021 |access-date=3 June 2021 |archive-date=2 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210602222358/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-06-02/large-fire-engulfs-oil-refinery-in-iran-s-capital-state-tv-says |url-status=live}} On 5 June, an explosion took place at the Zarand Iranian Steel Company in eastern Iran. No injuries were reported.{{Cite news |title=Blast at Iranian steel plant, latest in series of incidents |url=https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/fire-at-iran-steel-plant-after-blast-no-casualties-reported-reports-670219 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=6 June 2021 |access-date=6 June 2021 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916193659/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/fire-at-iran-steel-plant-after-blast-no-casualties-reported-reports-670219 |url-status=live}} On 20 June, it was reported that Iran's sole nuclear power plant at Bushehr underwent an emergency shutdown that would last between three and four days.{{Cite news |title=Iran's sole nuclear power plant undergoes unexplained emergency shutdown |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-sole-nuclear-power-plant-undergoes-unexplained-emergency-shutdown/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=20 June 2021 |access-date=21 June 2021 |archive-date=20 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210620213722/https://www.timesofisrael.com/irans-sole-nuclear-power-plant-undergoes-unexplained-emergency-shutdown/ |url-status=live}} On 23 June, a major damage was caused to one of the buildings of Iran's Atomic Energy Organization, although Iranian authorities denied there was any damage or casualties as a result of the sabotage attempt.{{Cite news |title=Iran atomic facility substantially damaged in attack – sources |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/drone-attack-targets-irans-atomic-energy-organization-671834 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=23 June 2021 |access-date=24 June 2021 |archive-date=24 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210624001948/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/drone-attack-targets-irans-atomic-energy-organization-671834 |url-status=live}}

On 3 July, an Israeli-owned cargo ship was struck by an "unknown weapon" in the northern Indian Ocean, causing a fire to erupt onboard the vessel, although no injuries were reported. Israeli sources suspect that Iran was behind the attack.{{Cite news|title=Israeli-owned vessel bound for UAE said struck in Indian Ocean|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-owned-vessel-bound-for-uae-said-struck-in-indian-ocean/|work=The Times of Israel|date=3 July 2021|access-date=3 July 2021|archive-date=3 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210703173611/https://www.timesofisrael.com/israeli-owned-vessel-bound-for-uae-said-struck-in-indian-ocean/|url-status=live}} On 5 July, a large fire was reported at a warehouse or factory near the city of Karaj, where an alleged previous attack targeted a nuclear facility reportedly used to produce centrifuges.{{Cite news|title=Blast and large blaze reported at state-owned warehouse near Tehran|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/large-blaze-reportedly-breaks-out-at-state-owned-warehouse-near-tehran/|work=The Times of Israel|date=5 July 2021|access-date=6 July 2021|archive-date=5 July 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210705210829/https://www.timesofisrael.com/large-blaze-reportedly-breaks-out-at-state-owned-warehouse-near-tehran/|url-status=live}} On 14 July, Iranian media reported an explosion at an office building in western Tehran, causing heavy damage to part of the building.{{cite news |date=15 July 2021 |title=Explosion reported at office building in Tehran |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/explosion-at-office-building-in-tehran-report-673886 |work=The Jerusalem Post |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926172741/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/explosion-at-office-building-in-tehran-report-673886 |url-status=live}} On 29 July, an Israeli-operated oil tanker was attacked near the coast of Oman. According to senior Israeli officials, the attack was conducted by Iran.{{cite news |date=31 July 2021 |title=Israel accuses Iran over deadly oil tanker attack |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57977702 |publisher=BBC News |access-date=31 July 2021 |archive-date=30 July 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210730232514/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-57977702 |url-status=live}}

On 10 August, a major explosion took place on a commercial ship docked at the Latakia port in Syria. Some reports identified the targeted ship as Iranian.{{Cite news |title=Explosion reported at Syria's Latakia port on ship that may be Iranian |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-reported-at-syrias-latakia-port-on-ship-that-may-be-iranian/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=10 August 2021 |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926172741/https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-reported-at-syrias-latakia-port-on-ship-that-may-be-iranian/ |url-status=live}} The same day a fire broke out at an Iranian petrochemical factory on Khark Island in the Persian Gulf.{{Cite news |title=Fire breaks out in Iranian petrochemical factory – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/fire-breaks-out-in-iranian-petrochemical-factory-report-676313 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=10 August 2021 |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926172741/https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/fire-breaks-out-in-iranian-petrochemical-factory-report-676313 |url-status=live}}

On 26 September, three people were injured in a fire at an IRGC research center west of Tehran.{{Cite news |title=Iran: Fire at Islamic Revolutionary Guard facility injures 3 – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-fire-at-islamic-revolutionary-guard-facility-injures-3-report-680373 |work=The Jerusalem Post|agency=Reuters|first=Tzvi|last=Joffre |date=26 September 2021 |access-date=26 September 2021 |archive-date=26 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210926164813/https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-fire-at-islamic-revolutionary-guard-facility-injures-3-report-680373 |url-status=live}}

On 26 October, a cyberattack crippled gas stations across Iran. It was reported that some hacked systems displayed messages addressing Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, demanding to know "where is the gas."{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/iran-gas-stations-hit-by-cyber-attack-report-683141/|title=Iran gas stations hit by massive cyberattack – report|work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Yonah|last=Jeremy Bob|date=26 October 2021|access-date=17 May 2024}}

On 7 November, it was reported that Mossad thwarted multiple Iranian attacks on Israelis in Tanzania, Senegal and Ghana. African authorities arrested five suspects. Iran has also attempted to strike Israel overseas and using cyberattacks.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/international/islamic-terrorism/mossad-thwarts-iranian-attacks-on-israelis-in-africa-report-684303|title=Mossad thwarts Iranian attacks on Israelis in Africa – report|work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Yonah|last=Jeremy Bob|date=7 November 2021|access-date=23 April 2024}}

In February 2022, an Israeli attack against an Iranian base destroyed hundrends of drones, which prompted Iran to fire missiles on an American consulate in Irbil (Iraqi Kurdistan) the following month. An Iranian cyberattack on Israeli websites was also reported.{{cite news|url=https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-hundreds-of-iranian-drones-destroyed-in-israel-attributed-attack-last-month-1.10674930|title=Hundreds of Iranian Drones of Various Sizes Destroyed in Israel-attributed Attack Last Month|newspaper=Haaretz|first=Amos|last=Harel|date=15 March 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}}

In March 2022, Reuters reported that Israel was carrying out airstrikes against Iranian personnel and militias in Syria backed by Iran. The report said that Israel "seeks to prevent Iran from transferring weapons to Hezbollah".{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/missiles-from-iran-struck-in-vicinity-of-u-s-consulate-in-northern-iraq-officials-say-11647138802|title=Missiles From Iran Struck in Vicinity of U.S. Consulate in Northern Iraq, Officials Say|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal|first1=Gordon|last1=Lubold|first2=Michael R.|last2=Gordon|date=13 March 2022|access-date=23 April 2024}}

On 22 May, Col. Hassan Sayyad Khodaei, a senior member of Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, was shot dead in his car in Tehran. He was among those responsible within the Guard's elite Quds Force for carrying out Iranian operations in Iraq and Syria.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/senior-iran-revolutionary-guards-member-said-assassinated-in-tehran/|title=Senior Iran Revolutionary Guards member said assassinated in Tehran|work=The Times of Israel|date=22 May 2022|access-date=17 May 2024}} On 25 May, an engineer was killed and another employee was wounded during an incident at the Parchin military facility south of Tehran.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/man-killed-in-industrial-accident-at-irans-parchin-military-facility/|title=Engineer said killed in incident at Iran's Parchin military facility|work=The Times of Israel|date=26 May 2022|access-date=17 May 2024}} Also in May, Israeli and Turkish security agencies foiled an Iranian plot to kidnap Israeli tourists in Turkey.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/israel-said-to-have-helped-foil-planned-iranian-attack-on-israeli-targets-in-turkey/|title=Iranian kidnapping of Israeli tourists said thwarted in Turkey last month |work=The Times of Israel |date=12 June 2022}} Another plot was foiled in June following a Mossad rescue operation in Istanbul.{{cite news|last1=Uniyal|first1=Vijeta|url=https://legalinsurrection.com/2022/06/iranian-terror-cell-plotting-to-kill-israelis-nabbed-in-turkey/|title=Iranian Terror Cell Plotting to Kill Israelis Nabbed in Turkey|quote=Death squad {{sic|comprising|hide=y| of}} 'eight suspects, including Iranian nationals, who were plotting attacks on Israeli citizens in Turkey.'|date=23 June 2022|access-date=4 August 2022|work=Legal Insurrection}}

On 12 June, Argentinian authorities immobilized an Iranian Mahan Air cargo plane that was leased to a Venezuelan state-owned airline. The passports of five Iranian passengers traveling on the plane were confiscated, some of whom were purportedly linked to the IRGC.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-709181|title=Argentina seizes Iranian Mahan Air aircraft, confiscates passports|work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Ariella|last=Marsden|date=12 June 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}} On 13 June, Mohammad Abdous, an Iranian Air Force scientist from the Aerospace Unit working on several projects, was killed during a mission at a base in northern Iran. The incident occurred less than 24 hours after Ali Kamani, another member of the air force's Aerospace Unit, died in a car accident in the city of Khomein.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-709259|title=Iranian aerospace scientist dies 'during mission' in northern Iran base|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=13 June 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}} The New York Times reported that Iranian officials suspect Israel poisoned engineer Ayoob Entezari and geologist Kamran Aghamolaei.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/iran-believes-israel-killed-2-scientists-by-poisoning-their-food-report/|title=Iran suspects Israel killed 2 scientists by poisoning their food – report|work=The Times of Israel|date=14 June 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}} On 14 June, an explosion at a chemical factory in the southern city of Firouzabad injured over 100 Iranian workers, most of them lightly.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/politics-business-explosions-iran-fires-181b63574b4a53990812f2be2ad784a6|title=Iran media: Scores injured in explosion at chemical factory|agency=Associated Press|first=Nasser|last=Karimi|date=14 June 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}} On 15 June, another IRGC officer of the aerospace division, Wahab Premarzian, died in the city of Maragheh.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/third-irgc-officer-reported-dead-within-a-week-in-iran/|title=Third IRGC officer reported dead within a week in Iran|work=The Times of Israel|date=17 June 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}} On 19 June, an explosion was reported at an IRGC missile base in west Tehran. The site had been targeted last year as well.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-709903|title=Explosion may have hit IRGC missile base in west Tehran – report|work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Tzvi|last=Joffre|date=20 June 2022|access-date=21 April 2024}} On 27 June, A large cyberattack forced the Iranian state-owned Khuzestan Steel Company to halt production, with two other major steel producers also being targeted. Israeli military correspondents hinted that Israel was responsible for the assault in retaliation for a suspected Iranian cyberattack that caused rocket sirens to be heard in Jerusalem and Eilat the previous week.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/gantz-says-iran-and-hezbollah-attempted-to-hack-unifil-steal-deployment-infomation/|title=Gantz says Iran and Hezbollah tried to hack UN peace force, steal deployment data|work=The Times of Israel|first=Emanuel|last=Fabian|date=29 June 2022|access-date=4 May 2024}}

In July, IRGC engineer Said Thamardar Mutlak was killed in a suspected Mossad assassination in Shiraz, while Iranian state-media reported that a Mossad-linked spy network planning to carry out "unprecedented acts of sabotage and terrorist operations" in Iran was captured by IRGC intelligence.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-712903|title=Iranian IRGC senior missile engineer killed – report|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=24 July 2022|access-date=4 May 2024}}

On 22 August, IRGC Brigadier General Abolfazal Alijani was killed in the Aleppo region of Syria.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-715320|title=Senior IRGC officer killed in Syria – report|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=23 August 2022|access-date=4 May 2024}}

On 1 September, an explosion occurred at a key oil refinery in Abadan that supplies 25% of Iran's fuel needs. No injuries were reported.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/explosion-rocks-key-oil-refinery-in-southwest-iran/|title=Explosion rocks key oil refinery in southwest Iran|work=The Times of Israel|date=2 September 2022}}

On 15 November, an oil tanker owned by an Israeli billionaire was attacked off the coast of Oman by an Iranian drone belonging to the IRGC, causing damage but no injuries.{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2022/nov/16/liberian-flagged-oil-tanker-owned-by-israeli-billionaire-hit-by-drone|title=US and Israel blame Iran after drone strikes oil tanker off Oman|work=The Guardian|date=16 November 2022}}{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/drone-that-hit-israeli-owned-tanker-near-oman-launched-from-irgc-base-officials/|title=Officials: Drone that hit Israeli-owned tanker near Oman was launched from IRGC base|work=The Times of Israel|first=Emanuel|last=Fabian|date=17 November 2022|access-date=19 May 2024}} The same day security services in Georgia announced they foiled an Iranian plot to assassinate an Israeli businessman in that country, which was supposed to have been carried out by a Pakistani hit squad hired by Iran and assisted by the IRGC.{{cite news|url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/b1u9zpz8i|title=Israeli businessman named as target of Iranian assassination plot in Georgia|publisher=Ynet|date=15 November 2022|last1=Eichner |first1=Itamar}} On 23 November, Iran blamed Israel for the death of a senior adviser of the IRGC's aerospace division who was killed by a roadside bomb near Damascus.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/irgc-officer-killed-by-roadside-bomb-in-syria-iran-blames-israel-vows-revenge/|title=IRGC officer killed by roadside bomb in Syria; Iran blames Israel, vows revenge|work=The Times of Israel|date=23 November 2022|access-date=18 April 2024}}

On 28 January 2023, a series of bomb-carrying drones attacked an Iranian defense factory in Isfahan, causing material damage at the plant, while a fire broke out at a refinery in the country's northwest the same day.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/armed-drones-strike-iranian-defense-workshop-in-isfahan/|title=Armed drones strike Iranian defense 'workshop' in Isfahan|work=The Times of Israel|date=29 January 2023|access-date=18 April 2024}} According to The Wall Street Journal, Israel was responsible for the strike.{{cite web|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/israel-strikes-iran-amid-new-international-push-to-contain-tehran-11675004979|title=Israel Strikes Iran Amid International Push to Contain Tehran|work=The Wall Street Journal|first1=Dion|last1=Nissenbaum|first2=Benoit|last2=Faucon|first3=Gordon|last3=Lubold|date=29 January 2023|access-date=18 April 2024}}

On 17 February, the IRGC launched a drone attack against an Israeli-owned vessel in the Persian Gulf, causing minor damage.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-731937|title=Iran attacks ship owned by Israeli businessman Eyal Ofer – report|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=18 February 2023|access-date=16 May 2024}} In March, Greek authorities—with help from Mossad—arrested two foreigners that were part of an Iranian cell looking to attack Jews and Israelis in that country.{{cite web|url=https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-735707|title=Mossad helps foil Iranian terror cell planning attacks on Israelis in Greece|work=The Jerusalem Post|date=28 March 2023|access-date=19 May 2024}}

In April, Shin Bet announced the arrest of two Palestinians in the West Bank who were recruited by Hezbollah and the Iranian Quds Force to carry out attacks on their behalf.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-739422|title=Iran IRGC, Hezbollah recruitment in West Bank foiled, two arrested|work=The Jerusalem Post|first=Michael|last=Starr|date=17 April 2023|access-date=16 May 2024}}

In June, a planned attack by IRGC members against Jews and Israelis in Cyprus was foiled by Cypriot intelligence services in cooperation with US and Israeli agencies.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/cyprus-thwarts-iranian-attack-targeting-jews-and-israelis-reports/|title=Cyprus thwarts Iranian attack targeting Jews and Israelis – reports|work=The Times of Israel|date=25 June 2023|access-date=16 May 2024}}

In September, a suspected explosion struck an Iranian missile base in the city of Khorramabad, with some observers suggesting it was a Mossad operation.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/suspected-explosion-hits-area-of-iran-missile-base-israeli-involvement-speculated/|title=Suspected explosion hits area of Iran missile base; Israeli involvement speculated|work=The Times of Israel|date=26 September 2023|access-date=19 May 2024}} On 27 September, Shin Bet arrested a five-person cell, consisting of three Palestinians and two Israeli citizens, that security officials claimed was an Iranian-led cell gathering intelligence to assassinate far-right Israeli minister Itamar Ben-Gvir and far-right activist Yehuda Glick.{{cite news |last1=Starr |first1=Michael |title=Israel foils Iran terror plot to 'assassinate' Ben-Gvir – Shin Bet |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-760637 |access-date=27 September 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=2023-09-27}} On 28 September, a fire broke out at a car battery factory owned by the Iranian Defense Ministry for the second time in less than a week.{{cite web|url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/fire-erupts-at-battery-factory-run-by-iranian-defense-ministry-for-2nd-time-in-days/|title=Fire erupts at battery factory run by Iranian Defense Ministry for 2nd time in days |work=The Times of Israel |date=28 September 2023}}

In 2024, former Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad said that Iran's intelligence service created a unit to counter Mossad operations, but its leader was later revealed to be a Mossad agent himself. He further added that around 20 Iranian operatives had been supplying intelligence to Israel, serving as double agents.{{Cite news |date=2024-10-01 |title=Head of Iran's intelligence services a double agent for Israel's Mossad? Ex Iranian president Mahmoud Ahmadinejad drops a bomb |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/head-of-irans-intelligence-services-a-double-agent-for-israels-mossad-ex-iranian-president-mahmoud-ahmadinejad-drops-a-bomb/articleshow/113845204.cms?from=mdr |access-date=2024-10-02 |work=The Economic Times |issn=0013-0389}}{{Cite web |date=2024-10-01 |title=Ex-Iranian president Ahmedinejad claims Mossad infiltrated Iranian intelligence |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/article-822669 |access-date=2024-10-02 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}

{{further|April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|October 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel|April 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran|October 2024 Israeli strikes on Iran}}

{{see also|Gaza war}}

The armed conflict between Israel and Palestinian militant groups led by Hamas{{Cite news |last=Simpson |first=John |date=11 October 2023 |title= Why BBC doesn't call Hamas militants 'terrorists' – John Simpson |url= https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-67083432 |access-date=12 October 2023 |publisher=BBC News |language=en}}{{efn|The list of groups included Hamas, Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine and the Lions' Den.}} began on 7 October 2023,{{Cite news |last=Beauchamp |first=Zack |date=7 October 2023 |title=Why did Hamas invade Israel?|url=https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907323/israel-war-hamas-attack-explained-southern-israel-gaza|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007185123/https://www.vox.com/2023/10/7/23907323/israel-war-hamas-attack-explained-southern-israel-gaza |archive-date=7 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |website=Vox |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Erlanger |first=Steven |date=7 October 2023|title=An Attack From Gaza and an Israeli Declaration of War. Now What? |language=en-US |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestinians.html |access-date=11 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=7 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007195542/https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/07/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-palestinians.html |url-status=live |url-access=limited}}{{cite web |author1=United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) |title=Fact Sheet: Israel and Palestine Conflict (9 October 2023)|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict-9-october-2023 |website=ReliefWeb |publisher=United Nations (UN) |access-date=13 October 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231013173556/https://reliefweb.int/report/occupied-palestinian-territory/fact-sheet-israel-and-palestine-conflict-9-october-2023 |archive-date=13 October 2023 |language=English |format=Press release |date=9 October 2023 |quote=On Saturday, 7 October – a Jewish sabbath day, the end of the weeklong Jewish festival of Sukkot, and a day after the 50th anniversary of the Yom Kippur War – Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups launched Operation al-Aqsa Flood, a coordinated assault consisting of land and air attacks into multiple border areas of Israel. |url-status=live}} with a coordinated surprise offensive on Israel. The attack began with a rocket barrage of at least 3,000 rockets launched from the Hamas-controlled Gaza Strip against Israel. In parallel, approximately 2,500 Palestinian militants breached the Gaza–Israel barrier, attacking military bases and massacring civilians in neighboring Israeli communities.{{Cite news |date=10 October 2023 |title=Hamas Leaves Trail of Terror in Israel |language=en-US |work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/10/world/middleeast/israel-gaza-war-hamas-deaths-killings.html |access-date=14 October 2023 |issn=0362-4331}} At least 1,200 people were killed, including 360 at a music festival.{{cite news |last1=Gillett |first1=Francesca |date=8 October 2023 |title=How an Israel music festival turned into a nightmare after Hamas attack |publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008143208/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67047034 |archive-date=8 October 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Tabachnick |first1=Cara |date=8 October 2023 |title=Israelis search for loved ones with posts and pleas on social media |publisher=CBS News |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israelis-search-loved-ones-posts-pleas-social-media-hamas-attack/ |url-status=live |access-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008061931/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/israelis-search-loved-ones-posts-pleas-social-media-hamas-attack/ |archive-date=8 October 2023}}{{cite news |date=7 October 2023 |title=Thousands flee rocket and gunfire at all-night desert 'Nature Party'; dozens missing |work=The Times of Israel |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-flee-rocket-and-gunfire-at-all-night-desert-nature-party-dozens-missing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007231525/https://www.timesofisrael.com/thousands-flee-rocket-and-gunfire-at-all-night-desert-nature-party-dozens-missing/ |archive-date=7 October 2023 |access-date=8 October 2023}} Unarmed civilian hostages and captured Israeli soldiers were taken to the Gaza Strip, including women and children.{{Cite news |last=McKernan |first=Bethan |date=7 October 2023 |title=Hamas launches surprise attack on Israel as Palestinian gunmen reported in south |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-surprise-attack-on-israel-as-palestinian-gunmen-reported-in-south |url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007101214/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/oct/07/hamas-launches-surprise-attack-on-israel-as-palestinian-gunmen-reported-in-south |archive-date=7 October 2023 |access-date=7 October 2023 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite news |date=7 October 2023 |title=Video appears to show Hamas taking Israeli civilian hostage |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FVUxvp6Ah0 |via=YouTube}}{{Cite web |title=Holocaust survivor who uses a wheelchair was dragged into Gaza as Israel-Hamas war rages on |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2023/10/09/holocaust-survivor-wheelchair-gaza-israel-hamas-war/71122480007/ |access-date=12 October 2023 |website=USA Today |language=en-US}}{{cite news |title=Hamas says it has enough Israeli captives to free all Palestinian prisoners |work=Al Jazeera |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners |url-status=live |access-date=7 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231007163709/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/7/hamas-says-it-has-enough-israeli-captives-to-free-all-palestinian-prisoners |archive-date=7 October 2023}} The surprise Palestinian attack was met with Israeli retaliatory strikes,{{Cite news |last1=George |first1=Susannah |last2=Dadouch |first2=Sarah |last3=Parker |first3=Claire |last4=Rubin |first4=Shira |date=9 October 2023 |title=Israel formally declares war against Hamas as more than 1,000 killed on both sides |language=en-US |newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/08/israel-hamas-war-gaza/ |access-date=12 October 2023 |issn=0190-8286}} and Israel formally declared war on Hamas and its allies a day later.

Iran, which reportedly assisted Hamas with planning the attack,{{Cite news |last1=Said |first1=Summer |last2=Faucon |first2=Benoit |last3=Kalin |first3=Stephen |title=Iran Helped Plot Attack on Israel Over Several Weeks |url=https://www.wsj.com/world/middle-east/iran-israel-hamas-strike-planning-bbe07b25 |url-access=subscription |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=4 June 2024}} threatened Israel to immediately stop the war on Gaza.{{Cite web |title=Iran's foreign minister warns Israel from Beirut to stop Gaza attacks or risk 'huge earthquake' |url=https://apnews.com/article/lebanon-iran-israel-hezbollah-2e0b7fdb0d55e379f48bda56703b776b |agency=Associated Press |date=14 October 2023}} A conflict was reported between militants in Lebanon, including Hezbollah, and Israeli forces on 8 and 9 October.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/09/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas/d1c0c33d-387c-51d8-b6ce-d965fb8fe870?smid=url-share |title=Israel Orders 'Complete Siege' of Gaza as Troops Battle to Secure Border Areas |date=9 October 2023 |work=The New York Times |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009170245/https://www.nytimes.com/live/2023/10/09/world/israel-gaza-war-hamas/d1c0c33d-387c-51d8-b6ce-d965fb8fe870?smid=url-share |url-status=live}}

Iran and its proxies, Russia and to a lesser extent China have launched a disinformation campaign against Israel, Ukraine – which condemned the attacks – and their main ally, the United States. The Institute for Strategic Dialogue's report singled out Iranian accounts on Facebook and X that glorified the crimes of Hamas and encouraged more violence against Israeli civilians.{{Cite news |last1=Myers |first1=Steven Lee |last2=Frenkel |first2=Sheera |date=2023-11-03 |title=In a Worldwide War of Words, Russia, China and Iran Back Hamas |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/03/technology/israel-hamas-information-war.html |access-date=2023-11-16 |issn=0362-4331}} Researchers have documented at least 40,000 bots or fake social media accounts, as well as strategic use of state-controlled media outlets like RT, Sputnik and Tasnim. Iran also accused Israel and the United States of committing war crimes in Gaza.

Amidst the war, the Houthi insurgent group extended the conflict's reach by launching missile attacks directed towards Israeli territory.{{Cite web |last=Fabian |first=Emanuel |title=Red Sea long-range missile intercepted by Arrow system – IDF |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/red-sea-long-range-missile-intercepted-by-arrow-system-idf/ |access-date=2023-11-02 |work=The Times of Israel |language=en-US}}

In December, two Iranian suspects linked to the IRGC were arrested in Cyprus for planning to target Israelis there.{{Cite news |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_entry/2-iranians-linked-to-revolutionary-guard-arrested-in-cyprus-over-plan-to-target-israelis/ |title=2 Iranians linked to Revolutionary Guard arrested in Cyprus over plan to target Israelis |date=10 December 2023 |work=The Times of Israel}} On 16 December, Iran reportedly executed a spy working for the Mossad in Sistan and Baluchestan province.{{Cite news |date=16 December 2023 |title=Iran executes agent of Israel's Mossad intelligence service – official media |agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/world/middle-east/iran-executes-agent-israels-mossad-intelligence-service-official-media-2023-12-16/ |access-date=16 December 2023}} On 18 December, Iranian media reported disruptions at 60% of gas stations across the country after a cyberattack by the hacktivist group Predatory Sparrow.{{Cite news |url=https://m.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-778460 |title=Hacktivist group claims to take out gas stations across Iran |date=18 December 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post}} On 23 December, a drone reportedly from Iran struck an Israeli-affiliated, Liberian-flagged chemical products tanker identified by Asian News International as MV Chem Pluto in the Arabian Sea, 200 nautical miles (370 km) southwest of the coast of Veraval, India.{{Cite news |date=23 December 2023 |title=Israel-affiliated merchant vessel hit by aerial vehicle off India |agency=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/commodities/israel-affiliated-merchant-vessel-hit-by-aerial-vehicle-off-india-uk-firm-2023-12-23/ |access-date=23 December 2023}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=Tanker hit off India coast by drone from Iran – US |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-67811929 |access-date=2023-12-24 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}} The attack caused a fire on board, but there were no injuries reported. The tanker, which was carrying crude oil, had a crew of 20 Indians, and came from a port in Saudi Arabia. The Indian Navy responded to the incident, and sent ICGS Vikram to the tanker.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=Drone attack hits ship off India's coast with 20 Indians on board, crew safe |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/drone-attack-hits-ship-in-indian-ocean-alert-issued-for-vessels-101703323876198.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223115136/https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/drone-attack-hits-ship-in-indian-ocean-alert-issued-for-vessels-101703323876198.html |archive-date=23 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-12-23 |title=Israel-affiliated merchant vessel hit by aerial vehicle off India's coast |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/world/israel-merchant-vessel-hit-aerial-vehicle-india-uk-9080225/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231223105340/https://indianexpress.com/article/world/israel-merchant-vessel-hit-aerial-vehicle-india-uk-9080225/ |archive-date=23 December 2023 |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=The Indian Express |language=en}}

On 25 December, Sayyed Razi Mousavi, a top commander and senior adviser of the IRGC, was killed by an Israeli airstrike in the Sayyida Zeinab area.{{Cite web |date=2023-12-25 |title=Air strike kills Iranian commander in Syria |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-67820538 |access-date=2023-12-25 |publisher=BBC News |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web |title=Israeli air strike in Syria kills top Iranian military adviser |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/12/25/israeli-air-strike-in-syria-kills-top-iranian-general |access-date=2023-12-25 |publisher=Al Jazeera|language=en}} On 28 December, eleven leaders of the IRGC were killed in an airstrike targeting the Damascus International Airport, according to Saudi media. It was reported that the IRGC commanders were meeting high-ranking delegates at the time of the strike.{{cite news |title=Top Iranian commanders killed in Damascus airport strike – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-780016 |access-date=29 December 2023 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=29 December 2023}} On 29 December, Iran executed four people for allegedly spying for the Mossad, and arrested several others.{{Cite web |title=Iran executes 4 people for alleged links with Israel's Mossad |url=https://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/iran-executes-people-alleged-links-israels-mossad-105983567 |access-date=2023-12-29 |publisher=ABC News|location=United States |language=en}} On 20 January 2024, an airstrike killed five elite Iranian Revolutionary Guards in a building in Damascus. Iran blamed Israel.{{cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/523e834d-b4c2-4e70-92b3-b3571b3b5815|title=Iran blames Israel for Damascus strike that killed five Revolutionary Guards|work=Financial Times|location=London|date=20 January 2024|access-date=24 January 2024}} On 29 January, Iran executed four people who were accused of planning to carry out a bomb plot ordered by Mossad against a factory producing military equipment.{{Cite web |title=Iran executes four convicted of Israeli bomb plot |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/1/29/iran-executes-four-men-convicted-of-spying-for-israel-state-media |access-date=2024-01-29 |publisher=Al Jazeera|language=en}} In February, it was reported that the IRGC has recruited British Shia Muslims visiting religious sites in Iran and Iraq to spy or carry out attacks on Jews and Iranian dissidents living in the UK.{{Cite web |title=Iran recruiting British citizens to spy on Jews, dissidents – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-786261 |date=2024-02-11 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}} On 14 February, explosions struck a natural gas pipeline in Iran, with an official blaming "sabotage and terrorist action".{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/iran-pipeline-explosion-israel-hamas-war-gaza-tensions-791cc5831f0df8c764c311484822913d|title=Blasts hit a natural gas pipeline in Iran and an official says it was an act of sabotage|agency=Associated Press|date=14 February 2024|accessdate=15 February 2024}}

On 1 April 2024, the Iranian consulate annex building adjacent to the Iranian embassy in Damascus, Syria, was struck by an Israeli airstrike, killing 16 people, including Brigadier General Mohammad Reza Zahedi, a senior Quds Force commander of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), and seven other IRGC officers.{{cite news |last=Wintour |first=Patrick |date=2 April 2024 |title=Iran vows revenge after two generals killed in Israeli strike on Syria consulate |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/01/israeli-airstrike-on-iranian-consulate-in-damascus-kills-irgc-commander |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240401230727/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/apr/01/israeli-airstrike-on-iranian-consulate-in-damascus-kills-irgc-commander |archive-date=1 April 2024 |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Guardian}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.syriahr.com/en/330101/|title=Death toll update | Woman and her son among 16 people killed in Israeli raid on building attached to Iranian embassy|work=The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights}} On 13 April, Iran retaliated against the attack with missile and drone strikes in Israel.{{Cite web |date=13 April 2024 |title=Iran launches air attack on Israel, with drones 'hours' away |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/13/israeli-army-says-iran-has-launched-drones-at-israel |access-date=13 April 2024 |website=Al Jazeera |archive-date=13 April 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240413204842/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/4/13/israeli-army-says-iran-has-launched-drones-at-israel |url-status=live}} On 19 April, Israel launched a series of retaliatory missile strikes on Iranian military sites. Iranian officials have also reported explosions at military sites in Syria and Iraq.{{Cite web|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/live-israel-launches-missile-attack-in-response-to-iran-assault|title=Iran says drones downed over Isfahan after explosions heard|publisher=Al Jazeera|access-date=19 April 2024|archive-date=19 April 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240419023421/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/4/19/live-israel-launches-missile-attack-in-response-to-iran-assault|url-status=live}} Iran is the third-largest producer in oil cartel OPEC, so there was concern about rising oil prices.{{cite news |title=Oil prices could see 'super spike well above $100' if conflict escalates after Iran's attack on Israel |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/15/oil-prices-could-surge-above-100-after-irans-first-attack-on-israel.html |work=CNBC |date=14 April 2024}}

It was reported in the end of April that Israel killed an IRGC operative in Tehran who was allegedly involved in targeting Jews in Germany.{{cite news |title=Israel kills Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps operative in Iran – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-799096 |work=The Jerusalem Post |date=29 April 2024}}

In May 2024, reports emerged detailing Iran's alleged orchestration of terror attacks targeting Israeli embassies in Europe, facilitated by local criminal networks. The Swedish Security Service verified Iran's involvement in these security-threatening activities aimed at Israeli and Jewish establishments in Sweden. Subsequently, Swedish authorities reinforced security protocols at these sites.{{Cite news |last=Berman |first=Lazar |date=2024-05-30 |title=Mossad: Iran-backed criminal networks behind attacks on Israeli embassies in Europe |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/mossad-iran-backed-criminal-networks-behind-attacks-on-israeli-embassies-in-europe/ |work=The Times of Israel}}

On the night between 30 July and 31 July, two senior figures of Iranian backed proxy groups were killed in assassinations attributed to Israel by Iran.{{Cite web |last=Walsh |first=Nick Paton |date=2024-07-31 |title=Analysis: Iran has no good options after two deadly strikes on senior allies |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/07/31/middleeast/analysis-iran-options-ismail-haniyeh-killing-intl/index.html |access-date=2024-08-01 |publisher=CNN|language=en}}

On 14 August, several Iranian banks, including the Central Bank, were targeted as part of a significant cyberattack that led to widespread disruptions in the Iranian banking system. It was described as one of the largest-ever cyberattacks against Iran's state infrastructure.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-14 |title=Massive cyberattack rocks Central Bank of Iran, computer system paralyzed – report|url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-814715 |website=The Jerusalem Post}}

On 25 August, Islamic Resistance in Iraq said that they fired a drone strike to Haifa.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-25 |title=Iraqi militia claim to have launched drone attack on Haifa – report |url=https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-816152 |access-date=2024-08-27 |website=The Jerusalem Post |language=en}}

On 27 August, Islamic Resistance in Iraq claimed that their drone strike struck a "vital target" in Haifa.{{Cite web |last=Adler |first=Nils |last2=Motamedi |first2=Maziar |date=2024-08-27 |title=Islamic Resistance in Iraq claims drone attack on Haifa |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/8/27/israels-war-on-gaza-live-israeli-tanks-near-deir-el-balah-as-un-flees |access-date=2024-08-27 |publisher=Al Jazeera|language=en}}

In September, a couple was detained and charged by a Paris court for their involvement in an Iranian plot to kill Israelis and Jews in Germany and France. Iran has been accused of recruiting criminals, including drug lords, to conduct such operations on European soil.{{Cite web |date=2024-09-08 |title=Paris charges couple in Iranian plot targeting Jews in France, Germany |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/paris-charges-couple-in-iranian-plot-targeting-jews-in-france-germany/ |website=The Times of Israel}}

On 8 September, Israeli commandos raided an underground facility near Masyaf used by Iran and Hezbollah to build precision-guided missiles.{{Cite news |last=Cooper |first=Helene |last2=Schmitt |first2=Eric |last3=Barnes |first3=Julian |last4=Bergman |first4=Ronen |date=12 September 2024 |title=Israeli Commandos Carried Out Raid on Secret Weapons Site in Syria |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/12/us/politics/israel-raid-syria-weapons.html |work=The New York Times}}

On 17 September, the Shin Bet claimed that it thwarted a Hezbollah attempt to assassinate a former senior defence official with a claymore mine.{{Cite news |last=Kimon |first=Elisha Ben |date=2024-09-17 |title=Shin Bet thwarted bomb attack by Hezbollah against ex-senior security official |url=https://www.ynetnews.com/article/h1w6yyvtr |access-date=2024-09-17 |publisher=Ynet |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Marsi |first=Federica |last2=Siddiqui |first2=Usaid |date=2024-09-17 |title=Israel claims it thwarted Hezbollah plot to kill former defence official. |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/liveblog/2024/9/17/israels-war-on-gaza-live-38-killed-as-israel-risks-becoming-pariah |access-date=2024-09-17 |publisher=Al Jazeera|language=en |quote=Israel’s domestic security agency claims it foiled a plot by the Lebanese armed group to kill a former senior defence official in the coming days.}} At least 11 people were killed and 4,000 were wounded, mostly Hezbollah members, after the explosions of their pagers nationwide, including in Beirut.{{Cite news |date=17 September 2024 |title=Hezbollah vows to respond after multiple dead and thousands wounded in mass pager explosions |url=https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/middle-east/hezbollah-pagers-explode-injured-israel-iran-b2614334.html |access-date=17 September 2024 |work=The Independent}} Among those reported injured was the Iranian ambassador, Mojtaba Amani.{{Cite web |title=Dozens of Hezbollah members wounded after pagers explode in Lebanon |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/9/17/dozens-of-hezbollah-members-wounded-after-pagers-explode-in-lebanon |access-date=2024-09-17 |publisher=Al Jazeera|language=en}}

On 19 October 2024, a drone strike reportedly targeted Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu's residence, but no injuries were reported as neither he nor his wife was present at the time. Netanyahu remarked, "the proxies of Iran who today tried to assassinate me and my wife made a bitter mistake."{{Cite web |date=2024-10-19 |title=A drone targets the Israeli prime minister's house during new barrages with Hezbollah |url=https://apnews.com/article/israel-hamas-war-news-10-18-2024-c49911f11a40b7d81b21bc8568ecfe11 |access-date=2024-10-20 |agency=Associated Press |language=en}} Iran has attributed the reported attack to Hezbollah, with the state-run IRNA news agency quoting Iran's mission to the UN saying: "The action in question has been carried out by Hezbollah in Lebanon."{{Cite web |title=Netanyahu undeterred after reported drone attack on his home |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyl4e7w2e7o |access-date=2024-10-20 |publisher=BBC |language=en-GB}}

{{further|Axis of Resistance}}

{{main|Iran–Syria relations|Iranian involvement in the Syrian Civil War}}

File:Khamenei meets with Bashar al-Assad C.jpeg Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and President Ebrahim Raisi meeting with Syrian president Bashar al-Assad on 8 May 2022]]

Iran and Ba'athist Syria were close strategic allies, and Iran had provided significant support for the Bashar al-Assad's government in the Syrian Civil War, including logistical, technical and financial support, as well as training and some combat troops. Iran saw the survival of the Syrian government as being crucial to its regional interests,[http://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria Iranian Strategy in Syria] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160201135117/http://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria |date=1 February 2016}}, Institute for the Study of War, Executive Summary + Full report, May 2013 however the regime collapsed after a rebel offensive in December 2024. The Iranian government downplayed the extent of its strategic loss, although Brig. Gen. Behrouz Esbati admitted that Iran was "defeated very badly".{{Cite news |last=Fassihi |first=Farnaz |date=2025-01-08 |title=Iran Was ‘Defeated Very Badly’ in Syria, a Top General Admits |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/middleeast/iran-general-syria-defeat.html |access-date=2025-02-06 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}} The Supreme Leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, was reported in September 2011 to be vocally in favor of the Syrian government. When the uprising developed into the Syrian Civil War, there were increasing reports of Iranian military support, and of Iranian training of National Defence Forces (NDF) both in Syria and Iran.BBC Newsnight, report on Iranian military advisor Hadari, 28 October 2013 'Iran's Secret Army' [https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03hdf8f/Our_World_Irans_Secret_Army] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131106140227/http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b03hdf8f/Our_World_Irans_Secret_Army/|date=6 November 2013}}, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI_88ChjQtU] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160102205927/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZI_88ChjQtU|date=2 January 2016}}

Iranian security and intelligence services were advising and assisting the Syrian military in order to preserve Assad's hold on power. Those efforts include training, technical support, and combat troops."Syria's crisis: The long road to Damascus: There are signs that the Syrian regime may become still more violent", The Economist, 11 February 2012. Thousands of Iranian operatives – as many as 10,000 by the end of 2013[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/10654144/Iran-boosts-support-to-Syria.html Iran boosts support to Syria] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190408154504/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/middleeast/iran/10654144/Iran-boosts-support-to-Syria.html |date=8 April 2019}}, telegraph, 21 February 2014 – have fought in the Syrian civil war on the pro-government side, including regular troops and militia members. In 2018, Tehran said that 2,100 Iranian soldiers have been killed in Syria and Iraq over the past seven years.{{cite web | title=Tehran: 2,100 Iranian soldiers killed in Syria and Iraq | website=Middle East Monitor | date=7 March 2018 | url=https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180307-tehran-2100-iranian-soldiers-killed-in-syria-and-iraq/ | access-date=11 November 2018 | archive-date=14 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514235253/https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/20180307-tehran-2100-iranian-soldiers-killed-in-syria-and-iraq/ | url-status=live}}[https://www.understandingwar.org/report/iranian-strategy-syria Iranian Strategy in Syria] Iran has also sponsored and facilitated the involvement of Shia militias from across the region to fight in Syria, including Lebanese Hezbollah, Afghan Liwa Fatemiyoun, Pakistani Liwa Zainebiyoun, Iraqi Harakat al-Nujaba, Kataib Seyyed al-Shuhada and Kataib Hezbollah, and Bahraini Saraya Al-Mukhtar.{{cite web | title=What Does Syria Mean for the Region's Shia | website=Carnegie Endowment for International Peace | url=https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/2014/01/what-does-syria-mean-for-the-regions-shia?lang=en | access-date=11 November 2018 | archive-date=14 May 2019 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190514141950/https://carnegieendowment.org/sada/54107 | url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/how-iran-is-building-its-syrian-hezbollah|title=How Iran Is Building Its Syrian Hezbollah|author=Phillip Smyth|publisher=The Washington Institute|date=8 March 2016|access-date=17 September 2016|archive-date=9 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160309102343/http://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/how-iran-is-building-its-syrian-hezbollah|url-status=live}}{{cite journal|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/Middle-East/2015/Mar-03/289440-iran-mourns-7-afghans-killed-fighting-for-damascus-ally.ashx|title=Iran mourns 7 Afghans killed fighting for Damascus ally|journal=The Daily Star|publisher=Daily Star Lebanon|access-date=7 May 2015|archive-date=24 April 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210424020648/https://www.dailystar.com.lb//News/Middle-East/2015/Mar-03/289440-iran-mourns-7-afghans-killed-fighting-for-damascus-ally.ashx|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.jamestown.org/programs/tm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=45479&cHash=b1fd0cdae422cab2030811f564ed606a#.V5nvHzV7OYM|title=The Zainabiyoun Brigade: A Pakistani Shiite Militia Amid the Syrian Conflict|newspaper=Jamestown |publisher=Jamestown Foundation|access-date=28 July 2016|archive-date=29 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160529105953/http://www.jamestown.org/programs/tm/single/?tx_ttnews[tt_news]=45479&cHash=b1fd0cdae422cab2030811f564ed606a#.V5nvHzV7OYM|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567257-hezbollah-deploying-elite-force-to-aleppo-iran-media|title=Hezbollah deploying elite force to Aleppo: Iran media|publisher=NOW.|date=8 August 2016|access-date=8 August 2016|archive-date=29 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160829000733/https://now.mmedia.me/lb/en/NewsReports/567257-hezbollah-deploying-elite-force-to-aleppo-iran-media|url-status=live}}{{cite web|first1=Omar |last1=al-Jaffal |url=http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/10/iraqi-shiites-join-syrian-war.html|title=Iraqi Shiites Join Syria War|publisher=Al-Monitor|date=29 October 2013|access-date=4 November 2013|archive-date=24 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150924045218/http://www.al-monitor.com/pulse/originals/2013/10/iraqi-shiites-join-syrian-war.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web | title=The Evolution of Shia Insurgency in Bahrain | author=Michael Knights and Matthew Levitt | website=The Washington Institute for Near East Policy | date=January 2018 | url=https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-evolution-of-shia-insurgency-in-bahrain | access-date=11 November 2018 | archive-date=11 November 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181111043903/https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/view/the-evolution-of-shia-insurgency-in-bahrain | url-status=live}}{{cite web | title=Bahraini group 'among militias backing Assad' | website=Trade Arabia | date=20 November 2015 | url=http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_295126.html | access-date=11 November 2018 | archive-date=12 June 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140107/http://www.tradearabia.com/news/MISC_295126.html | url-status=live}}

{{see also|Funding of Hezbollah}}

File:Nasrallah Khamenei Soleimani.jpg with Ali Khamenei on the left and Quds Force commander Qasem Soleimani on the right]]

Hezbollah was established as a hybrid organization, with political and social components aimed at gaining legitimacy. Similar to Iran's bonyads, Hezbollah set up an extensive welfare network for the Shiite in poverty. The group provided discounted or free medical care, education, and cultural events.{{cite book |last=Seliktar|first=Ofira|date= |title=Iran, Revolution, and Proxy Wars (Middle East Today)|url= |location= |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2020 edition (December 19, 2019)|page=24|isbn= |access-date=}}

Hezbollah has grown to an organization with seats in the Lebanese government, a radio and a satellite television-station, programs for social development and large-scale military deployment of fighters beyond Lebanon's borders.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/world/middleeast/syrian-fighting-gives-hezbollah-new-but-diffuse-purpose.html |title=Syrian Fighting Gives Hezbollah New but Diffuse Purpose |first=Ben |last=Hubbard |work=The New York Times |quote=....the fighting has also diluted the resources that used to go exclusively to facing Israel, exacerbated sectarian divisions in the region, and alienated large segments of the majority Sunni population who once embraced Hezbollah as a liberation force... Never before have Hezbollah guerrillas fought alongside a formal army, waged war outside Lebanon or initiated broad offensives aimed at seizing territory. |date=20 March 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140525010514/http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/21/world/middleeast/syrian-fighting-gives-hezbollah-new-but-diffuse-purpose.html |archive-date=25 May 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |title=Hizballah: A Primer |last=Deeb |first=Lara |date=31 July 2006 |website=Middle East Report |url=http://www.merip.org/mero/mero073106 |access-date=31 May 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111019062730/http://merip.org/mero/mero073106 |archive-date=19 October 2011 |url-status=dead}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/hezbollah-operative-wanted-by-fbi-dies-in-fighting-in-syria/2014/05/28/be2d27fe-e69a-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html |title=Hezbollah operative wanted by FBI dies in fighting in Syria |first=Adam |last=Goldman |newspaper=The Washington Post|quote=...Hasan Nasrallah has called the deployment of his fighters to Syria a 'new phase' for the movement, and it marks the first time the group has sent significant numbers of men outside Lebanon's borders. |date=28 May 2014 |access-date=30 May 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140529181440/http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/hezbollah-operative-wanted-by-fbi-dies-in-fighting-in-syria/2014/05/28/be2d27fe-e69a-11e3-8f90-73e071f3d637_story.html |archive-date=29 May 2014 |url-status=live}} The organization has been called a "state within a state".{{cite news |title=Iran–Syria vs. Israel, Round 1: Assessments & Lessons Learned |url=http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iransyria-vs-israel-round-1-assessments-lessons-learned-02558/#more-2558 |newspaper=Defense Industry Daily |date=13 September 2013 |access-date=19 February 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125205123/http://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/iransyria-vs-israel-round-1-assessments-lessons-learned-02558/#more-2558 |archive-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah is part of the March 8 Alliance within Lebanon, in opposition to the March 14 Alliance. Hezbollah maintains strong support among Lebanon's Shi'a population,{{Cite web |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4329201.stm |title=Huge Beirut protest backs Syria |publisher=BBC News |date=8 March 2005 |access-date=7 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070602054325/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4329201.stm |archive-date=2 June 2007 |url-status=live}} while Sunnis have disagreed with the group's agenda.{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/region/lebanon/hariri-sunnis-refuse-to-join-hezbollah-al-qaida-war-1.1282059 |title=Hariri: Sunnis 'refuse' to join Hezbollah-Al Qaida war |date=25 January 2014 |agency=Agence France-Presse |newspaper=Gulf News |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140131200837/http://gulfnews.com/news/region/lebanon/hariri-sunnis-refuse-to-join-hezbollah-al-qaida-war-1.1282059 |archive-date=31 January 2014 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0623/Why-Hezbollah-has-openly-joined-the-Syrian-fight |title=Why Hezbollah has openly joined the Syrian fight |first=Nicholas |last=Blanford |date=23 June 2013 |newspaper=The Christian Science Monitor |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215084208/https://www.csmonitor.com/World/Middle-East/2013/0623/Why-Hezbollah-has-openly-joined-the-Syrian-fight |archive-date=15 December 2018 |url-status=live}} Following the end of the Israeli occupation of South Lebanon in 2000, its military strength grew significantly,{{cite news |url=http://www.haaretz.com/news/un-hezbollah-has-increased-military-strength-since-2006-war-1.231869 |title=UN: Hezbollah has increased military strength since 2006 war |newspaper=Haaretz |date=25 October 2007 |access-date=5 September 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130929065334/http://www.haaretz.com/news/un-hezbollah-has-increased-military-strength-since-2006-war-1.231869 |archive-date=29 September 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first=Mel |last=Frykberg |title=Mideast Powers, Proxies and Paymasters Bluster and Rearm |url=http://injesus.com/message-archives/prophetic/prophecyupdate/prophecy-update-israel-reaches |work=Middle East Times |date=29 August 2008 |access-date=31 May 2011 |quote=And if there is one thing that ideologically and diametrically opposed Hezbollah and Israel agree on, it is Hezbollah's growing military strength. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809125809/http://injesus.com/message-archives/prophetic/prophecyupdate/prophecy-update-israel-reaches |archive-date=9 August 2011 |url-status=live}} such that its paramilitary wing is considered more powerful than the Lebanese Army.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?pagewanted=all |title=Hezbollah's Role in Syria War Shakes the Lebanese |first=Anne |last=Barnard |newspaper=The New York Times |quote=Hezbollah, stronger than the Lebanese Army, has the power to drag the country into war without a government decision, as in 2006, when it set off the war by capturing two Israeli soldiers. |date=20 May 2013 |access-date=20 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130613051837/http://www.nytimes.com/2013/05/21/world/middleeast/syria-developments.html?pagewanted=all |archive-date=13 June 2013 |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/middle_east/for-lebanons-sunnis-growing-rage-at-hezbollah/2013/06/12/9696297c-d299-11e2-8cbe-1bcbee06f8f8_story.html |title=For Lebanon's Sunnis, growing rage at Hezbollah over role in Syria |first=Loveday |last=Morris |newspaper=The Washington Post|quote=... Hezbollah, which has a fighting force generally considered more powerful than the Lebanese army. |date=12 June 2013 |access-date=20 June 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105065531/http://articles.washingtonpost.com/2013-06-12/world/39922185_1_aleppo-war-soccer-stadium |archive-date=5 November 2013}} Hezbollah receives military training, weapons, and financial support from Iran, and political support from Syria.{{cite magazine |last=Filkins |first=Dexter |title=The Shadow Commander |magazine=The New Yorker |date=30 September 2013 |url=https://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/09/30/130930fa_fact_filkins?currentPage=all |access-date=4 October 2013 |quote=From 2000 to 2006, Iran contributed a hundred million dollars a year to Hezbollah. Its fighters are attractive proxies: unlike the Iranians, they speak Arabic, making them better equipped to operate in Syria and elsewhere in the Arab world. |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140719002618/http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2013/09/30/130930fa_fact_filkins?currentPage=all |archive-date=19 July 2014 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah also fought against Israel in the 2006 Lebanon War.

Hezbollah has been a major combatant in the Syrian Civil War, helping to ensure the survival of the Iran-backed Assad government. Active support and troop deployment began in 2012, steadily increasing thereafter.{{Cite web |url=http://www.aljazeera.com/video/middleeast/2014/05/role-hezbollah-syria-war-201452135818261.html |title=Hezbollah in Syria's war |access-date=2015-02-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612163022/https://www.aljazeera.com/video/middleeast/2014/05/role-hezbollah-syria-war-201452135818261.html |archive-date=2018-06-12 |url-status=live}} Hezbollah deployed several thousand fighters in Syria and by 2015 lost up to 1,500 fighters in combat.{{cite news|title=Hizbullah's learning curve: Deadly experience|url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21661826-costly-valuable-lessons-guerrilla-army-once-fought|access-date=24 August 2015|newspaper=The Economist|date=22 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150824035752/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21661826-costly-valuable-lessons-guerrilla-army-once-fought|archive-date=24 August 2015|url-status=live}} Hezbollah has also been very active to prevent rebel penetration from Syria to Lebanon, being one of the most active forces in the Syrian Civil War spillover in Lebanon. By March 2019, 1,677 Lebanese Hezbollah fighters had reportedly been killed in Syria.See [http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=120851 More than 570 thousand people were killed on the Syrian territory within 8 years of revolution demanding freedom, democracy, justice, and equality.] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191012115333/http://www.syriahr.com/en/?p=120851 |date=12 October 2019}}

{{further|Governance of the Gaza Strip}}

Between 2005 and 2011, Iran was one of the main funders and suppliers of Hamas. Israel estimates the Hamas' Brigades have a core of several hundred members, who received military training, including training in Iran and in Syria (before the Syrian Civil War).{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/WWW/nationalsecurity.nsf/Page/What_Governments_are_doing_Listing_of_Terrorism_Organisations_Hamas&apos |title=Hamas's Izz al-Din al-Qassam Brigades |website=Government of Australia |access-date=1 August 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110822125618/http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/WWW/nationalsecurity.nsf/Page/What_Governments_are_doing_Listing_of_Terrorism_Organisations_Hamas%26apos |archive-date=22 August 2011}} In 2011, after the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War, Hamas distanced itself from the Syrian government and its members began leaving Syria. In a speech for the spokesman of the Qassam brigades in 2014 on Hamas's 27 anniversary he thanked Iran for aid in finance and weapons.

{{main|Iran–Sudan relations}}

In 2008, Sudan and Iran signed a military cooperation agreement. The agreement was signed by Iran's Defense Minister Mostafa Mohammad-Najjar and his Sudanese counterpart Abdelrahim Mohamed Hussein.{{cite web |url=http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-Iran-sign-military,26294 |title=Sudan, Iran sign military cooperation agreement |date=8 March 2008 |work=Sudan Tribune |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010122024/http://www.sudantribune.com/Sudan-Iran-sign-military,26294 |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live}}

In 2011, however, Sudan reduced its cooperation with Iran after the start of the Syrian Civil War.{{citation needed|date=November 2024}}

In 2015, Sudan completely severed its ties with Iran, by participating in the Saudi-led intervention in the Yemeni Crisis on behalf of the Sunni Arab alliance.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-27/sudan-joining-saudi-campaign-in-yemen-shows-shift-in-region-ties |title=Sudan Joining Saudi Campaign in Yemen Shows Shift in Region Ties |first1=Ahmed |last1=Feteha |first2=Michael |last2=Gunn |date=27 March 2015 |publisher=Bloomberg News |access-date=18 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303235152/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2015-03-27/sudan-joining-saudi-campaign-in-yemen-shows-shift-in-region-ties |archive-date=3 March 2016 |url-status=live}}

Iran is a major financial supporter of the Islamic Jihad Movement in Palestine (PIJ).{{cite book |title=Profiles in Terror: The Guide to Middle East Terrorist Organizations |last=Mannes |first=Aaron |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |page=201 |year=2004}}{{cite journal |url=https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/950500.htm |title=The Terrorist Connection – Iran, The Islamic Jihad and Hamas |first=Elie |last=Rekhess |journal=Justice |volume=5 |date=May 1995 |publisher=Federation of American Scientists |access-date=9 June 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171212213527/https://fas.org/irp/world/para/docs/950500.htm |archive-date=12 December 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/pij.html |title=Palestine Islamic Jihad (PIJ) |website=National Counterterrorism Center |access-date=22 May 2019 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141016214230/http://www.nctc.gov/site/groups/pij.html |archive-date=16 October 2014}}{{cite web |url=http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/WWW/nationalsecurity.nsf/Page/What_Governments_are_doing_Listing_of_Terrorism_Organisations_Palestinian_Islamic_Jihad |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060820175840/http://www.nationalsecurity.gov.au/agd/WWW/NationalSecurity.nsf/Page/What_Governments_are_doing_Listing_of_Terrorism_Organisations_Palestinian_Islamic_Jihad |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 August 2006 |title=Palestinian Islamic Jihad |website=Government of Australia |access-date=9 June 2017}} Following the Israeli and Egyptian squeeze on Hamas in early 2014, PIJ has seen its power steadily increase with the backing of funds from Iran.{{cite news |url=https://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21599826-decline-hamas-may-result-new-wave-chaos-whos-charge |title=The Gaza Strip: Who's in charge? |date=29 March 2014 |newspaper=The Economist |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140705205238/http://www.economist.com/news/middle-east-and-africa/21599826-decline-hamas-may-result-new-wave-chaos-whos-charge |archive-date=5 July 2014 |url-status=live}} Its financial backing is believed to also come from Syria.

The 2003 invasion of Iraq unintentionally allowed Iran to strengthen its influence by gaining political influence and establishing loyal militias within Iraq.{{cite news |author= |date= |title=The Proxy Forces Iran Has Assembled Across the Middle East|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/world/middleeast/iran-proxy-militias.html|work=New York Times|location= |publisher= |access-date=}} Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat Hezbollah al-Nujaba are militias in Iraq backed by Iran.{{cite book |last=|first=|date=2025|title=Proxy Wars from a Global Perspective: Non-State Actors and Armed Conflicts|url= |location= |publisher=Bloomsbury Academic|page= |isbn= |access-date=|quote=In Syria, in addition to raising militias, Iran also directed Lebanese Hezbollah's (LH) and proxies' fighters from Lebanon and Iraq, respectively. In 2012, both LH and Iraqi proxies began moving forces into Syria. Those from Iraq included Iranian-backed militias within the Hashd al-Shaabi, such as Asa'ib Ahl al-Haq and Harakat al-Nujaba.}}{{cite news |author= |date= |title=How Iran uses proxy forces across the region to strike Israel and US|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/nov/01/how-iran-uses-proxy-forces-across-the-region-to-strike-israel-and-us|work=The Guardian|location= |publisher= |access-date=}}

Iran has supplied weapons to the Shia Houthi movement in Yemen known as "Ansar Allah".{{cite news |author= |date= |title=How Iran uses proxy forces across the region to strike Israel and US|url=https://www.theguardian.com/global/2023/nov/01/how-iran-uses-proxy-forces-across-the-region-to-strike-israel-and-us|work=The Guardian|location= |publisher= |access-date=}}{{cite news |author= |date= |title=The Proxy Forces Iran Has Assembled Across the Middle East|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/27/world/middleeast/iran-proxy-militias.html|work=New York Times|location= |publisher= |access-date=}}{{cite news |author= |date= |title=Iran’s Dilemma: How to Preserve Its Proxies and Avoid Full-Scale War|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/25/world/middleeast/iran-israel-hezbollah.html|work=New York Times|location= |publisher= |quote="It wants to restore deterrence against Israel while avoiding a full-scale war between the two countries that could draw in the United States and, in combination, destroy the Islamic Republic at home. It wants to preserve the proxies that provide what it calls forward defense against Israel — Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis in Yemen — without going into battle on their behalf."}} Houthis control of Al Hudaydah's port and Sanaa solved the Quds Force's logistics for delivering weapons into Yemen. By 2012, the IRGC's Weapons Transfer Unit (Unit 190), under the leadership of Brigadier Generals Behnam Shahariyari and Sayyed Jabar Hosseini, began seeking methods to smuggle weapons into Yemen. The IRGC set up an "air bridge," initially operating two flights per day. Later, an Iranian fleet began transporting military supplies to the Hudaydah Port.{{cite book |last=Seliktar|first=Ofira|date= |title=Iran, Revolution, and Proxy Wars (Middle East Today)|url= |location= |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan; 1st ed. 2020 edition (December 19, 2019)|page=174, 224, 235|isbn= |access-date=}}

{{main|Israel–United States relations|Israel–United States military relations}}

File:Vice President Joe Biden visit to Israel March 2016 (25554709411).jpg with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem in 2016]]

Israel's closest military ally, the United States, has a long history of violence against Iran, including the August 1953 overthrow of the Mossadegh government by U.S. and U.K. covert operatives, and the decades long U.S. support for the authoritarian rule of the Shah.Clandestine Service History: Overthrow of Premier Mossadeq of Iran, Mar. 1954: p. iii.{{cite book |title=Ends of British Imperialism: The Scramble for Empire, Suez, and Decolonization |year=2007 |publisher=I.B.Tauris |isbn=978-1-84511-347-6 |pages=775 of 1082 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NQnpQNKeKKAC&pg=PA775 |access-date=30 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191206181715/https://books.google.com/books?id=NQnpQNKeKKAC&pg=PA775&lpg=PA775 |archive-date=6 December 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite news|title=Secrets of History: The United States in Iran|url=https://www.nytimes.com/library/world/mideast/041600iran-cia-index.html|work=The New York Times|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130125113825/http://www.nytimes.com/library/world/mideast/041600iran-cia-index.html |date=20 January 2013 |url-status=live|archive-date=25 January 2013}}[https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/iran/2018-02-12/cia-declassifies-more-zendebad-shah-internal-study-1953-iran-coup CIA declassifies more of "Zendebad, Shah!" – internal study of 1953 Iran coup] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191118234257/https://nsarchive.gwu.edu/briefing-book/iran/2018-02-12/cia-declassifies-more-zendebad-shah-internal-study-1953-iran-coup |date=18 November 2019}}, Danielle Siegel and Malcolm Byrne, National Security Archive, 12 February 2018 The U.S. provided major military and other support to Saddam Hussein's Iraq for decades after Iraq attacked Iran, and in 1988, the United States launched Operation Praying Mantis against Iran, the largest American naval combat operation since World War II.Love, Robert William. History of the U.S. Navy. Harrisburg: Stackpole Books, 1992. {{ISBN|978-0-8117-1863-9}} p. 787 The United States has military bases that virtually encircle Iran.{{cite report |url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a534959.pdf |editor-last=Tarzi |editor-first=Amin |date=2009 |title=Iranian Puzzle Piece: Understanding Iran in the Global Context |publisher=Marine Corps University |page=24 |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-date=16 September 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210916193658/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a534959.pdf |url-status=live}}

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken did not rule out a military intervention to stop Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons.{{cite news |title=Backing 'every' option against Iran, Blinken appears to nod at military action |url=https://www.timesofisrael.com/backing-every-option-against-iran-blinken-appears-to-nod-at-military-action/ |work=The Times of Israel |date=14 October 2021}}{{cite news |title=Blinken Declines to Rule Out Military Option Should Iran Nuclear Talks Fail |url=https://www.haaretz.com/us-news/.premium-blinken-declines-to-rule-out-military-option-should-iran-nuclear-talks-fail-1.10341408 |work=Haaretz |date=31 October 2021}}

{{main|Iran–Saudi Arabia relations|Israel–Saudi Arabia relations|Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict}}

While Iran is the world's main Shia Muslim-led power, Saudi Arabia sees itself as the leading Sunni Muslim power.{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42008809|title=Why Saudi Arabia and Iran are bitter rivals|last=Marcus|first=Jonathan|publisher=BBC News|date=16 September 2019|access-date=31 October 2019|language=en-GB|archive-date=22 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190922214741/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-42008809|url-status=live}} In what has been described as a cold war, the Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict, waged on multiple levels over geopolitical, economic, and sectarian influence in pursuit of regional hegemony, has been a major features of Western Asia since 1979.See:

• {{cite news|last1=Koelbl|first1=Susanne|last2=Shafy|first2=Samiha|last3=Zand|first3=Bernhard|title=Saudia [sic] Arabia and Iran: The Cold War of Islam|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/saudia-arabia-iran-and-the-new-middle-eastern-cold-war-a-1090725.html|access-date=17 June 2017|work=Der Spiegel|date=9 May 2016|archive-date=9 June 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170609224637/http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/saudia-arabia-iran-and-the-new-middle-eastern-cold-war-a-1090725.html|url-status=live}}
• {{cite web|url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2016/01/07/fear-and-loathing-in-saudi-arabia/|title=Fear and Loathing in Saudi Arabia|last=Pollack|first=Kenneth M.|date=8 January 2016|access-date=20 June 2017|work=Foreign Policy|archive-date=13 July 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713155140/http://foreignpolicy.com/2016/01/07/fear-and-loathing-in-saudi-arabia/|url-status=live}}
• {{cite news|last1=Ellis|first1=Sam|title=The Middle East's cold war, explained|url=https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/7/17/15983638/iran-middle-east-saudi-war-explained|access-date=11 August 2017|agency=Vox|date=17 July 2017|archive-date=11 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170811183305/https://www.vox.com/videos/2017/7/17/15983638/iran-middle-east-saudi-war-explained|url-status=live}} American support for Saudi Arabia and its allies as well as Russian and Chinese support for Iran and its allies have drawn comparisons to the dynamics of the Cold War era, and the proxy conflict has been characterized as a front in what Russian prime minister Dmitry Medvedev has referred to as the "New Cold War".{{cite news|last1=Klare|first1=Michael|title=Welcome to Cold War II|url=http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2013/06/01/welcome_to_cold_war_ii_105205-3.html|access-date=6 October 2016|work=Tom Dispatch|publisher=RealClearWorld|date=1 June 2013|archive-date=11 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171011165245/http://www.realclearworld.com/articles/2013/06/01/welcome_to_cold_war_ii_105205-3.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Meyer|first1=Henry|last2=Wishart|first2=Ian|last3=Biryukov|first3=Andrey|title=Russia's Medvedev: We Are in 'a New Cold War'|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-13/russia-sees-new-cold-war-as-nato-chief-criticizes-nuclear-threat|access-date=6 October 2016|publisher=Bloomberg News|date=13 February 2016|archive-date=30 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191030205351/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-02-13/russia-sees-new-cold-war-as-nato-chief-criticizes-nuclear-threat|url-status=live}}{{cite news|last1=Blanchard|first1=Ben|title=China's Xi offers support for Saudi amid regional uncertainty|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-saudi/chinas-xi-offers-support-for-saudi-amid-regional-uncertainty-idUSKBN1DH04F|access-date=16 March 2018|agency=Reuters|date=16 November 2017|archive-date=13 July 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190713132239/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-china-saudi/chinas-xi-offers-support-for-saudi-amid-regional-uncertainty-idUSKBN1DH04F|url-status=live}} The rivalry today is primarily a political and economic struggle exacerbated by religious differences, and sectarianism in the region is exploited by both countries for geopolitical purposes as part of the conflict.{{cite news|last1=Fathollah-Nejad|first1=Ali|title=The Iranian–Saudi Hegemonic Rivalry|url=https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/iranian-saudi-hegemonic-rivalry|access-date=19 September 2019|publisher=Belfer Center|date=25 October 2017|archive-date=1 April 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190401061605/https://www.belfercenter.org/publication/iranian-saudi-hegemonic-rivalry|url-status=live}}{{cite news |last1=Erickson |first1=Amanda |title=What's behind the feud between Saudi Arabia and Iran? Power. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/20/whats-behind-the-feud-between-saudi-arabia-and-iran-power/ |access-date=18 September 2019 |newspaper=The Washington Post|date=20 December 2017 |archive-date=31 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531100210/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2017/12/20/whats-behind-the-feud-between-saudi-arabia-and-iran-power/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |title=The 'Cold War' between Iran and Saudi Arabia is heating up. Here are 5 things you should know about it. |url=https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-11-12/cold-war-between-iran-and-saudi-arabia-heating-here-are-5-things-you-should-know |access-date=18 September 2019 |agency=Agence France-Presse |date=12 November 2017 |archive-date=11 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190411122818/https://www.pri.org/stories/2017-11-12/cold-war-between-iran-and-saudi-arabia-heating-here-are-5-things-you-should-know |url-status=live}}

Israel and Saudi Arabia do not have any official diplomatic relations. However, news reports have indicated extensive behind-the-scenes diplomatic and intelligence cooperation between the countries, in pursuit of mutual goals against regional enemy Iran.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/world/africa/25iht-mideast.2929990.html|title=Olmert reportedly held secret meeting with king of Saudi Arabia|author=Greg Myre|date=25 September 2006|work=International Herald Tribune|access-date=6 January 2014|archive-date=26 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180626060224/https://www.nytimes.com/2006/09/25/world/africa/25iht-mideast.2929990.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Senior-IDF-officer-to-Saudi-paper-Israel-is-Mideasts-island-of-stability-439493|title=IDF officer to Saudi paper: Israel has 'common language' with moderate Arab states|author=YASSER OKBI and MAARIV HASHAVUA|date=5 January 2016|work=The Jerusalem Post|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-date=6 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106060904/http://www.jpost.com/Middle-East/Senior-IDF-officer-to-Saudi-paper-Israel-is-Mideasts-island-of-stability-439493|url-status=live}}

The Gaza war had a significant impact on diplomatic efforts. Speculation arose that Iran was trying to sabotage relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia,{{Cite news |url=https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-hamas-attacks-against-israel-palestine-jerusalem/ |title=Iran's support for Hamas fans suspicion it's wrecking Israel-Saudi deal |work=Politico |first1=Jamie |last1=Dettmer |first2=Christian |last2=Oliver |date=7 October 2023 |access-date=8 October 2023 |archive-date=8 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231008003450/https://www.politico.eu/article/iran-hamas-attacks-against-israel-palestine-jerusalem/ |url-status=live}} with former head of research for Shin Bet Neomi Neumann saying the attack could have been timed in part due to Iran's hopes to scuttle efforts to normalize relations between Israel and its Sunni rival.{{Cite news |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231009-hamas-israel-war-slams-door-on-cautious-us-iran-thaw |title=Hamas-Israel war slams door on cautious US-Iran thaw |work=France 24 |date=7 October 2023 |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009083211/https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20231009-hamas-israel-war-slams-door-on-cautious-us-iran-thaw |url-status=live}} On 9 October, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani denied claims of Tehran's involvement in Hamas's attack.{{Cite web |url=https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-denies-it-had-role-in-hamas-attack-on-israel-1e70a38f |title=Iran Denies It Had Role in Hamas Attack on Israel |work=Barron's |date=9 October 2023 |access-date=9 October 2023 |archive-date=9 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231009100636/https://www.barrons.com/news/iran-denies-it-had-role-in-hamas-attack-on-israel-1e70a38f |url-status=live}} On 12 October, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman discussed the Israel-Gaza situation with Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi.{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia puts Israel deal on ice amid war, engages with Iran: Report |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/14/saudi-arabia-puts-israel-deal-on-ice-amid-war-engages-with-iran-report |work=Al Jazeera |date=14 October 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023 |archive-date=21 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231021205035/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/10/14/saudi-arabia-puts-israel-deal-on-ice-amid-war-engages-with-iran-report |url-status=live}} On 13 October, Saudi Arabia criticized Israel for the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza and the attacks on civilians. On 14 October, Saudi Arabia suspended talks on the possible normalization of relations with Israel.{{cite news |title=Saudi Arabia pauses normalisation talks with Israel amid ongoing war with Hamas |url=https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231014-saudi-arabia-pauses-normalisation-talks-with-israel-amid-ongoing-war-with-hamas |work=France 24 |date=14 October 2023 |access-date=21 October 2023 |archive-date=20 October 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231020005033/https://www.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231014-saudi-arabia-pauses-normalisation-talks-with-israel-amid-ongoing-war-with-hamas |url-status=live}}

{{main|Azerbaijan–Israel relations|Azerbaijan–Iran relations}}

File:Isaac Herzog state visit to Azerbaijan, May 2023 (GPOHZ0HZ0 2446).jpg and Israeli president Isaac Herzog in Baku, May 2023]]

{{main|Assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists}}

In 2010, a wave of assassinations targeting Iranian nuclear scientists began. The assassinations were widely believed to be the work of Mossad, Israel's foreign intelligence service. According to Iran and global media sources, the methods used to kill the scientists is reminiscent of the way Mossad had previously assassinated targets. The assassinations were alleged to be an attempt to stop Iran's nuclear program, or to ensure that it cannot recover following a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities.{{cite news |title=Killing the brains |first=Ron |last=Ben-Yishai |url=http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4174792,00.html |date=12 January 2012 |publisher=Ynet |access-date=27 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120610073435/http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4174792,00.html |archive-date=10 June 2012 |url-status=live}} In the first attack, particle physicist Masoud Alimohammadi was killed on 12 January 2010 when a booby-trapped motorcycle parked near his car exploded. On 12 October 2010, an explosion occurred at an IRGC military base near the city of Khorramabad, killing 18 soldiers.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/middleeast/14tehran.html |title=18 Iran Guards Killed by Blast at Their Base |first=William |last=Yong |date=13 October 2010 |newspaper=The New York Times |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190215063718/https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/14/world/middleeast/14tehran.html |archive-date=15 February 2019 |url-status=live}} On 29 November 2010, two senior Iranian nuclear scientists, Majid Shahriari and Fereydoon Abbasi, were targeted by hitmen on motorcycles, who attached bombs to their cars and detonated them from a distance. Shahriari was killed, while Abbasi was severely wounded. On 23 July 2011, Darioush Rezaeinejad was shot dead in eastern Tehran. On 11 January 2012, Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan and his driver were killed by a bomb attached to their car from a motorcycle.{{cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/11/secret-war-iran-timeline-attacks |title=Iran: timeline of attacks |first=James |last=Meikle |date=11 January 2012 |newspaper=The Guardian |access-date=23 September 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160312124918/http://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/11/secret-war-iran-timeline-attacks |archive-date=12 March 2016 |url-status=live}}

Iran blamed Israel and the U.S. for the assassinations.{{cite news |last1=Vick |first1=Karl |last2=Klein |first2=Aaron J. |date=13 January 2012 |title=Who Assassinated an Iranian Nuclear Scientist? Israel Isn't Telling |work=Time |url=http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104372,00.html |url-status=live |access-date=14 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160224221222/http://content.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2104372,00.html |archive-date=24 February 2016}} Iranian officials also blamed the British intelligence agency.{{cite news |date= |url=https://www.voanews.com/a/extremism-watch_history-assassinations-irans-top-nuclear-scientists/6199135.html|title=History of Assassinations of Iran's Top Nuclear Scientists|publisher=VOA}}{{cite news |date= |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2012/jan/14/iran-accuses-us-britain-scientist|title=Iran accuses US and Britain of role in killing of nuclear scientist|publisher=The Guardian}}{{cite news |date= |url=https://www.smh.com.au/world/iran-accuses-british-of-role-in-killing-of-nuclear-physicist-20101203-18juy.html|title=Iran accuses British of role in killing of nuclear physicist|publisher=SMH}} Mahmoud Alavi, Iran's intelligence minister, said the person who planned the killing was "a member of the armed forces" indirectly suggesting that the perpetrator might have been from the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC).{{cite news |date= |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-middle-east-60250816|title=Israel's Mossad suspected of high-level Iran penetration|publisher=BBC}}{{cite news |date= |url=https://old.iranintl.com/en/iran/member-armed-forces-involved-assassination-nuclear-official-irans-intelligence-minister|title=A Member Of Armed Forces Involved In Assassination Of Nuclear Official: Iran's Intelligence Minister|publisher=Iranintl}} According to NBC, two US senior officials confirmed that the People's Mujahedin of Iran (MEK) was "financed, trained, and armed by Israel" in killing Iranian nuclear scientists,{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/israel-teams-terror-group-kill-irans-nuclear-scientists-u-s-flna241673|title=Israel teams with terror group to kill Iran's nuclear scientists, U.S. officials tell NBC News|author=Rock Center with Brian Williams|date=6 December 2014|work=NBC News|access-date=6 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141129020537/http://rockcenter.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/02/08/10354553-israel-teams-with-terror-group-to-kill-irans-nuclear-scientists-us-officials-tell-nbc-news|archive-date=29 November 2014|url-status=live}} although a senior State Department official later said they never claimed the MEK was involved in the assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2019/jul/24/mek-will-fight-iran-regime-from-new-ashraf-3-base-/ |title=MEK will fight Iran regime from new Ashraf-3 base in Albania |work=The Washington Times|date=26 July 2019}}{{Cite web|url=https://2009-2017.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2012/09/198470.htm|title=Background Briefing on an Announcement Regarding the Mujahedin-e Khalq|website=U.S. Department of State}} In early 2011, Majid Jamali Fashi confessed to the killing of Masoud Alimohammadi on Iranian state television, saying that he had trained for the operation at a Mossad facility near Tel Aviv. Fashi was executed in May 2012. That month, Iranian authorities announced the arrest of another 14 Iranians {{ndash}} eight men and six women {{ndash}} described as an Israeli-trained terror cell responsible for five of the attacks on Iranian scientists.{{cite magazine|last1=Vick|first1=Kar|title=Spy Fail: Why Iran Is Losing Its Covert War with Israel|url=https://world.time.com/2013/02/13/spy-fail-why-iran-is-losing-its-covert-war-with-israel/|date=13 February 2013|access-date=14 March 2016|magazine=Time|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160315000223/http://world.time.com/2013/02/13/spy-fail-why-iran-is-losing-its-covert-war-with-israel/|archive-date=15 March 2016|url-status=live}} Iran's IRTV Channel 1 broadcast a half-hour documentary, Terror Club, which included "the televised confessions of the 12 suspects allegedly involved in the killings of Ali-Mohammadi, Shahriari, Rezaeinejad, and Roshan, and the attempted killing of Abbasi."{{cite news|last1=Torbati|first1=Yeganeh|title=Iran airs "confessions" in killings of nuclear scientists|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-killings-idUSBRE8750M820120806|access-date=21 March 2016|work=Reuters|date=6 August 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403133107/http://www.reuters.com/article/us-iran-nuclear-killings-idUSBRE8750M820120806|archive-date=3 April 2016|url-status=live}}{{cite web|last1=Staff writers|title=Iran: Guarantee Rights of 'Terror' Suspects|url=https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/22/iran-guarantee-rights-terror-suspects|publisher=Human Rights Watch|date=22 February 2013|access-date=21 March 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160403183021/https://www.hrw.org/news/2013/02/22/iran-guarantee-rights-terror-suspects|archive-date=3 April 2016|url-status=live}}

{{Main|Russia and the Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}

File:Vladimir Putin and Benyamin Netanyahu (2018-01-29) 05.jpg and Russian president Vladimir Putin in 2018]]

Russian foreign policy in the Middle East during the early 2000s, in light of the Iran–Israel proxy conflict.

After 2001 the government of Vladimir Putin intensified Russia's involvement in the region, supporting Iran's nuclear programs and forgiving Syria 73% of its $13 billion debt.{{cite web |url=http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2005/eu_russia_01_26.html |title=Russia, Syria sign agreement for major arms deal |date=26 January 2005 |website=World Tribune |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010122024/http://www.worldtribune.com/worldtribune/WTARC/2005/eu_russia_01_26.html |archive-date=10 October 2017 |url-status=live}}

According to March 2007 brief entitled Russia's New Middle Eastern Policy: Back to Bismarck? by Ariel Cohen (Institute for Contemporary Affairs),

Syria ... was supplying Hizbullah with Russian weapons. In 2006, Israeli forces found evidence of the Russian-made Kornet-E and Metis-M anti-tank systems in Hizbullah's possession in southern Lebanon. The Russian response to accusations that it was supplying terrorist groups with weapons was an announcement, in February 2007, that Russia's military will conduct inspections of Syrian weapons storage facilities with the goal of preventing the weapons from reaching unintended customers. Predictably, such developments placed considerable strain on the already-deteriorating relations between Russia and Israel...

For several years Russia has been attempting to engage in military cooperation with both Israel and Syria. However, the levels of cooperation with the two states are inversely related and an escalation of arms sales to Syria can only damage the relationship with Israel. Russian-Syrian military cooperation has gone through numerous stages: high levels of cooperation during the Soviet era, which was virtually halted until 2005, and now Russia's attempt to balance its relationship with both Israel and Syria. However, Russia's recent eastward leanings might indicate that Moscow is prepared to enter a new stage in its military cooperation with Syria, even if this is to the detriment of its relationship with Israel.{{cite journal |url=http://jcpa.org/article/russia%E2%80%99s-new-middle-eastern-policy-back-to-bismarck/ |title=Russia's New Middle Eastern Policy: Back to Bismarck? |last=Cohen |first=Ariel |author-link=Ariel Cohen |volume=6 |number=25 |date=20 March 2007 |journal=Jerusalem Issue Briefs |publisher=Institute for Contemporary Affairs |access-date=22 May 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180818115550/http://jcpa.org/article/russia%e2%80%99s-new-middle-eastern-policy-back-to-bismarck/ |archive-date=18 August 2018 |url-status=live}}

Israel–Russia relations improved after the Russian military intervention in Syria in September 2015. From then until July 2018, Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Putin met a total of nine times.{{cite web|url=https://www.jpost.com/Israel-News/Analysis-The-message-in-the-Netanyahu-Putin-meeting-562248|title=Analysis: The message in the Netanyahu – Putin meeting |website=The Jerusalem Post |date=11 July 2018 |access-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191221060350/https://www.jpost.com//Israel-News/Analysis-The-message-in-the-Netanyahu-Putin-meeting-562248|archive-date=21 December 2019|url-status=live}} Prior to and immediately after the 2016 United States presidential election, Israel began lobbying the United States to strike a deal with Russia over restricting the Iranian military presence in Syria in exchange for removing U.S. sanctions against Russia.{{cite magazine|url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/israeli-saudi-and-emirati-officials-privately-pushed-for-trump-to-strike-a-grand-bargain-with-putin|title=Israeli, Saudi, and Emirati Officials Privately Pushed for Trump to Strike a 'Grand Bargain' with Putin|first=Adam|last=Entous|magazine=The New Yorker |date=10 July 2018 |access-date=16 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024224749/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/israeli-saudi-and-emirati-officials-privately-pushed-for-trump-to-strike-a-grand-bargain-with-putin|archive-date=24 October 2019|url-status=live}}

In 2019, Russia rejected an Iranian request to buy S-400 missile defense system. Ruslan Pukhov, head of the Center of Analysis of Strategies and Technologies in Moscow, said: "If Russia decides to provide Iran with S-400, it will be a direct challenge to Saudi Arabia and Israel, so it will be against Russia's own national interests."{{cite news |title=Russia Rejects Iran's Request To Buy S-400 Systems |url=https://www.defenseworld.net/news/24871/Russia_Rejects_Iran_s_Request_To_Buy_S_400_Systems#.XX_xYGYzWUk |work=Defense World.net |date=31 May 2019 |access-date=16 September 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190531181532/https://www.defenseworld.net/news/24871/Russia_Rejects_Iran_s_Request_To_Buy_S_400_Systems#.XX_xYGYzWUk |archive-date=31 May 2019 |url-status=live}}

{{Portal|Politics|Iran|Israel}}

{{div col}}

• April 2024 Iranian strikes against Israel
• Attacks on U.S. bases in Iraq, Jordan, and Syria (2023–present)
• Arab Cold War
• Arab–Israeli conflict
• Axis of Resistance
• Iran–Israel conflict during the Syrian civil war
• Iran–Israel relations
• Iran–Saudi Arabia proxy conflict
• Israeli–Lebanese conflict
• List of modern conflicts in the Middle East
• Russia–Syria–Iran–Iraq coalition
• Persecution of Shias by the Islamic State

{{end div col}}

{{reflist|group=lower-alpha}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Alavi |first=Seyed Ali |year=2019 |title=Iran and Palestine: Past, Present, Future |others=Foreword: Arshin Adib-Moghaddam |location=London; New York |publisher=Routledge |isbn=9780367228293 |oclc=1123089621}}
• {{Cite book |last=Parsi |first=Trita |year=2007 |title=Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran, and the U.S. |location=New Haven, Conn. |publisher=Yale University Press |isbn=9780300120578 |oclc=124164797}}

{{Iran–Israel proxy conflict}}

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