The Iran–Israel Proxy Conflict: A Shadow War in the Middle East

The Iran–Israel conflict, often dubbed a "shadow war", is not a conventional war marked by direct military confrontations, but a long-running geopolitical rivalry played out through proxies, covert operations, cyber warfare, and regional influence. At the heart of this conflict lies a deep ideological, religious, and strategic antagonism that has shaped the modern Middle East for decades.

Historical Roots and Ideological Divide:

Iran and Israel were once allies during the reign of the Shah. However, the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran radically altered the political landscape. The new Islamic Republic, under Ayatollah Khomeini, adopted a fiercely anti-Zionist stance, branding Israel as an illegitimate entity and a "cancerous tumor" in the Muslim world. This ideological enmity—rooted in Iran’s theocratic identity and support for the Palestinian cause—has since defined Iran’s foreign policy.

Israel, for its part, views Iran’s regional ambitions and nuclear program as existential threats. Tehran's support for armed groups like Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas and Islamic Jihad in Gaza, and various militias in Syria and Iraq forms the backbone of what Israel perceives as an “axis of resistance” encircling it.

Proxy Warfare and Regional Theaters:

The conflict is most visibly fought in third-party territories. In Lebanon, Iran-backed Hezbollah remains Israel’s most formidable non-state adversary, with tens of thousands of rockets pointed at Israeli cities. In Syria, Israel has conducted hundreds of airstrikes targeting Iranian military positions and arms shipments to Hezbollah, aiming to prevent Iranian entrenchment near its borders.

In Gaza, Iran funds and arms Hamas and Islamic Jihad, who have launched repeated rocket attacks on Israel. Iran's reach also extends to Iraq and Yemen, where Shia militias and the Houthis, respectively, have shown alignment with Iranian interests—occasionally threatening Israeli and Western interests.

Cyber Warfare and Covert Operations:

The conflict has also unfolded in cyberspace and through intelligence operations. The Stuxnet virus, allegedly developed by Israel and the US, targeted Iranian nuclear facilities in 2010. In response, Iranian hackers have launched attacks on Israeli infrastructure. Moreover, Israel is suspected of assassinating several Iranian nuclear scientists, while Iran has attempted attacks on Israeli diplomats abroad.

Nuclear Tensions:

Iran's nuclear program remains the most volatile flashpoint. Israel staunchly opposed the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), arguing it failed to permanently block Iran’s path to nuclear weapons. Israel has repeatedly signaled that it will not allow Iran to acquire nuclear weapons, reserving the right to act unilaterally if diplomacy fails.

Global and Regional Implications:

The Iran–Israel conflict is not just bilateral—it is deeply embedded in the wider Sunni-Shia, US-Iran, and Arab-Israeli rivalries. The Abraham Accords, which normalized Israel’s relations with several Arab states, have been partly motivated by a shared fear of Iran. At the same time, Iran has deepened ties with Russia and China, complicating Western efforts to isolate it.

India's Foreign Policy Balancing Act:

India maintains strong yet distinct relationships with both Iran and Israel—navigating this rivalry is a hallmark of India's strategic autonomy and multi-alignment approach in foreign policy.

Strategic Ties with Israel:

India and Israel enjoy a robust defense and intelligence partnership. Israel is one of India’s top arms suppliers, providing advanced technologies such as drones, radar systems, and missiles. Beyond defense, cooperation in agriculture, water management, cybersecurity, and innovation has deepened, especially after Prime Minister Modi’s historic visit to Israel in 2017.

Historical and Economic Links with Iran:

India, on the other hand, shares deep civilizational ties with Iran and depends on it for strategic access to Central Asia and Afghanistan via the Chabahar Port, which New Delhi has developed as an alternative trade route to bypass Pakistan. Iran was also a major crude oil supplier to India before U.S. sanctions halted imports in 2019.

Geopolitical Dilemmas:

The Iran–Israel conflict poses a diplomatic tightrope for India. Openly siding with either side risks damaging vital relationships. For instance:

Supporting Israel too strongly may antagonize Iran and impact India’s access to energy and its strategic projects like Chabahar.

Endorsing Iran too visibly may undermine India's growing security partnership with Israel and weaken ties with the U.S. and Gulf Arab states.

India also has a sizable Shia population and a legacy of non-alignment, which makes any visible preference politically sensitive.

Policy of De-hyphenation and Strategic Ambiguity:

India has adopted a policy of “de-hyphenation”, engaging with each country independently. It voted in favor of Palestinian rights at the UN while deepening defense ties with Israel. Similarly, it has abided by U.S. sanctions on Iran but continues backchannel engagement and humanitarian cooperation with Tehran.

Amid the intensifying proxy war, India has consistently called for peace, de-escalation, and regional stability. As a rising power with stakes in the Middle East’s security and energy supply chains, India favors a multipolar, rules-based regional order.

Conclusion:

The Iran–Israel proxy conflict represents one of the most complex and dangerous rivalries in the contemporary world. It involves not only military tactics and regional politics but also cyber tools, ideology, and nuclear brinkmanship. While full-scale war remains a distant possibility, the conflict continues to destabilize the Middle East.

India, with its long-standing ties to both sides, must continue its delicate balancing act. By promoting dialogue, upholding its strategic autonomy, and protecting its regional interests, India seeks to emerge not as a passive observer but as a responsible global stakeholder navigating a volatile geopolitical environment.

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