Iran-Israel War: A New Era of Direct Confrontation in the Middle East

However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution fundamentally reshaped Iran's foreign policy. The new theocratic regime, led by Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, severed all diplomatic ties with Israel, viewing it as an illegitimate "Zionist regime" and a tool of Western imperialism. Anti-Israel sentiment became a core tenet of the Islamic Republic's ideology, prioritizing support for oppressed Muslims, particularly Palestinians. This ideological shift laid the groundwork for the deep-seated hostility that defines their relationship today.