Tensions Rise: Israel and Iran in the Shadow of the Supreme Leader

The relationship between Israel and Iran has been one of the most volatile and dangerous rivalries in modern geopolitics. Rooted in religious, ideological, political, and military tensions, the conflict has evolved over decades into a complex web of proxy wars, cyber warfare, nuclear concerns, and diplomatic brinkmanship. At the heart of Iran’s strategy stands its Supreme Leader—Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, whose role as the ultimate authority in Iran’s theocratic system places him at the center of the nation’s hostile posture toward Israel.

As of 2025, the situation remains tense, with both nations increasing their defensive and offensive capabilities. Diplomatic efforts by global powers have done little to ease tensions, especially as Iran continues its nuclear ambitions and Israel escalates its rhetoric and readiness to respond.

This article explores the roots of the Israel-Iran conflict, the role of the Supreme Leader, recent developments, and the implications for regional and global stability.

Historical Background: From Cooperation to Hostility

Interestingly, Iran and Israel were once allies. Prior to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran under the Shah maintained diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel. Both nations shared strategic interests, especially in counterbalancing Arab nationalism and Soviet influence in the Middle East.

However, everything changed with the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini and the establishment of the Islamic Republic. Khomeini viewed Israel as an illegitimate state and a symbol of Western imperialism, often referring to it as the “Little Satan” (with the U.S. being the “Great Satan”). The new regime cut all ties with Israel, and hostility quickly became a central theme of Iran’s foreign policy.

After Khomeini’s death in 1989, Ali Khamenei became Supreme Leader and continued to endorse anti-Israel rhetoric, supporting militant groups that oppose Israel’s existence, including Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza.

Supreme Leader Khamenei: The Driving Force Behind Iran’s Anti-Israel Doctrine

The Supreme Leader of Iran is the highest-ranking political and religious authority in the country. Unlike elected officials such as the president or parliament, the Supreme Leader has ultimate control over the military, judiciary, intelligence services, and foreign policy.

Ayatollah Khamenei has long considered the destruction of Israel a legitimate and even necessary goal. He has referred to Israel as a “cancerous tumor” and has frequently emphasized Iran’s duty to support “resistance” movements. He has used every opportunity—speeches, sermons, and state media—to reinforce this position.

Khamenei’s influence is not merely rhetorical. He sets the tone for the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), especially its Quds Force, which carries out Iran’s regional operations. Under his guidance, Iran has armed and trained proxies across the region, including in Syria, Iraq, and Yemen, to surround Israel and create a multi-front threat.

Iran’s Proxy Network and Israel’s Security Dilemma

One of Iran’s most effective strategies has been to build a network of allied militias and non-state actors around Israel’s borders. These proxies act as both deterrents and offensive arms of Iranian policy:

• Hezbollah (Lebanon): Perhaps the most powerful Iranian proxy, Hezbollah is equipped with over 150,000 rockets capable of striking deep into Israeli territory. It has become a key player in Lebanon and Syria, posing a constant threat to Israel’s northern border.
• Hamas and Islamic Jihad (Gaza): Iran supplies financial and military support to Palestinian groups, fueling repeated conflicts with Israel and undermining the possibility of peace between Israelis and Palestinians.
• Militias in Syria and Iraq: Iran has established a military corridor stretching from Tehran to Beirut, with bases and weapons depots scattered across Syria and Iraq. Israeli airstrikes routinely target these sites to prevent weapons transfers.

For Israel, this web of threats creates a challenging security environment. It cannot simply confront Iran on one front; it must maintain constant readiness on multiple borders, track arms transfers, and anticipate missile launches from both state and non-state actors.

Nuclear Tensions and the JCPOA Collapse

Perhaps the most alarming aspect of the Israel-Iran rivalry is Tehran’s nuclear program. Israel views a nuclear-armed Iran as an existential threat and has vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring such capabilities, even if that means acting unilaterally.

The Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), signed in 2015 between Iran and six world powers, was designed to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief. However, the U.S. withdrawal from the deal in 2018 under President Trump, followed by Iran’s gradual violation of its commitments, has all but dismantled the agreement.

Since then, Iran has accelerated its enrichment of uranium, bringing it dangerously close to weapons-grade levels. Israel has responded with aggressive diplomacy, covert operations (such as cyberattacks and assassinations of nuclear scientists), and military preparedness.

Khamenei has maintained that Iran’s nuclear program is peaceful, but he also insists that Iran will not tolerate threats or pressure. His hardline stance has made negotiations with Western powers increasingly difficult.

Cyber Warfare and Covert Operations

Beyond the traditional battlefield, Israel and Iran have been engaged in a shadow war of cyberattacks, espionage, and sabotage. Israeli intelligence services, particularly Mossad, have carried out numerous covert operations within Iran, including:

• The 2020 assassination of Mohsen Fakhrizadeh, a top Iranian nuclear scientist.

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• The 2018 raid on a Tehran warehouse that exposed Iran’s nuclear archive.
• Numerous cyberattacks, such as the Stuxnet virus, which reportedly damaged Iranian centrifuges.

Iran has retaliated with cyberattacks on Israeli infrastructure, including water systems and banks, though with less success. Still, the cyber domain remains a dangerous and unpredictable battleground in the broader Israel-Iran conflict.

Recent Escalations and Global Implications

In recent months, tension has once again escalated:

• Iran-backed groups have launched drone and rocket attacks on U.S. and Israeli targets in Syria and Iraq.
• Israel has intensified its airstrikes in Syria, reportedly targeting IRGC commanders and weapons convoys.
• Iran’s navy has increased its activity in the Persian Gulf, and threats against Israeli shipping have resurfaced.

Moreover, as the conflict in Gaza continues to draw international attention, Iran has used it as a platform to escalate anti-Israel rhetoric. Khamenei praised the October 2023 Hamas attacks as a “heroic stand,” and warned Israel of a broader “axis of resistance” ready to act.

For the international community, this escalation is deeply concerning. A direct war between Israel and Iran could destabilize the entire Middle East, disrupt global oil supplies, and trigger wider military involvement by the U.S. and its allies.

Diplomatic Dead Ends and the Future Outlook

Attempts to mediate between Israel and Iran have consistently failed. The ideological chasm—one side seeking regional dominance under a theocratic vision, the other seeking to preserve its existence as a democratic Jewish state—is simply too vast.

The role of the Supreme Leader complicates diplomacy further. While elected Iranian officials, like the president or foreign minister, may show interest in engagement, Khamenei has final say over all significant decisions. His distrust of the West, commitment to anti-Zionist ideology, and reliance on militant proxies leave little room for compromise.

On the Israeli side, governments across the political spectrum agree on one point: Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. As such, even with domestic political shifts, the Israeli stance on Iran remains hardline.