Fact check: What is the history of Israel-Iran relations since 1979?

1. Summary of the results

The history of Israel-Iran relations since 1979 represents one of the most dramatic geopolitical transformations in the Middle East. Before the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Iran and Israel were strategic allies during the Pahlavi era ^[1]. This relationship underwent a complete reversal following the Iranian Revolution, transforming the two nations from cordial allies into bitter archenemies ^{[2] [1]}.

The Iranian Revolution marked the decisive turning point, with Iran's new Islamic government adopting strong anti-Israel rhetoric and positioning itself as a champion of the Palestinian cause ^{[2] [1]}. The Palestinian issue became a central factor driving their ongoing hostilities ^[1].

The relationship has been characterized by what sources describe as a "shadow war" involving assassinations, cyber attacks, and proxy conflicts ^[1]. This escalated over the decades through various means including Iran's development of nuclear capabilities, with key milestones such as the discovery of Iran's secret nuclear enrichment facility ^[3].

The conflict has intensified dramatically, culminating in a full-scale war by 2025 ^[2]. Recent developments include direct military confrontations, with sources documenting attacks and responses from both countries ^{[4] [5] [3]}. The situation has reached such severity that there are references to nuclear sites being "obliterated" and threats of harsh responses from Tehran ^[5].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual factors that provide a more complete picture:

• The role of US involvement significantly impacts Iran-Israel tensions ^{[6] [5]}. The historical US involvement in Iran, including the 1953 coup and ongoing nuclear negotiations, has significant implications for Israel's regional security ^[6].
• Regional geopolitical dynamics extend beyond bilateral relations. The conflict involves broader Middle Eastern power struggles, with Iran using proxy forces and Israel responding through various means including targeted operations ^[1].
• The nuclear dimension adds complexity to the relationship. Iran's nuclear program development has been a major source of tension, with international negotiations and sanctions playing crucial roles in shaping the conflict's trajectory ^{[6] [3]}.
• Economic and strategic interests of major powers benefit from different narratives about this conflict. The United States, European powers, and regional allies each have financial and strategic interests in how this relationship is portrayed and managed.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself appears neutral and factual, simply asking for historical information. However, the analyses reveal potential areas where bias could emerge:

• The framing of the conflict's origins could be presented differently depending on perspective. While sources consistently point to the 1979 Iranian Revolution as the turning point ^{[2] [1]}, different stakeholders might emphasize different causal factors.
• The characterization of current events shows potential for bias, particularly in how recent military actions are described. Sources reference "full-scale war" and nuclear threats ^{[2] [5]}, but the framing of who is the aggressor versus defender could vary significantly based on source perspective.
• The role of external powers like the United States could be minimized or emphasized depending on the source's perspective ^{[6] [5]}. Some analyses focus heavily on US involvement while others treat it as secondary to the bilateral Iran-Israel dynamic.

The question itself does not contain apparent misinformation, but responses to it could easily be shaped by geopolitical biases depending on which aspects of this complex 46-year relationship are emphasized or omitted.