Like in Iraq?
I guess kidnapping people you dont like, killing leaders you dont like, bombing countries you dont like, is the democratic thing to do.
Before the 2026 war, Iran was widely considered hostile to Israel, especially at the level of the Iranian government.
Below is a clearer explanation.
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# 1. Official Iranian government stance
Since the **1979 Islamic Revolution**, the government of Iran has treated Israel as an enemy state.
Key points of official policy:
**1️⃣ Iran does not recognize Israel as a legitimate state.**
Iranian leaders usually call Israel the **“Zionist regime”** instead of recognizing it as a country.
**2️⃣ Hostile rhetoric from leaders.**
Various Iranian leaders have made strong statements against Israel over the years, including rhetoric about Israel disappearing or being destroyed. For example, slogans displayed in Tehran have said that **Israel “must be wiped from the face of the earth.”** ([The Guardian][1])
**3️⃣ Threats of retaliation against Israel.**
Iranian officials repeatedly warned that if Israel attacked Iran, Iran would respond militarily and strike Israeli territory. ([Middle East Observer][2])
**4️⃣ Support for groups that fight Israel.**
Iran has funded and armed organizations such as:
* Hezbollah
* Hamas
These groups have fought wars or conflicts with Israel.
Because of these factors, Israel and many Western countries saw Iran as a major security threat.
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# 2. But Iran and Israel were not always enemies
Before 1979, relations were actually very different.
Under the rule of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi (the Shah of Iran):
* Iran **recognized Israel**
* They had **trade and military cooperation**
* Israel even helped Iran with technology and agriculture
The hostility only began **after the Islamic Revolution**, when the new Islamic government adopted a strong anti-Israel ideology.
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[1]:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2024/oct/26/iran-mocks-israel-attacks-weak-hardliners-reprisal?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Iran mocks Israel’s ‘weak’ attacks as hardliners call for reprisal | Iran | The Guardian"
[2]:
https://middleeast.observer/israel/article/4781/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Iran Threatens Israel Over Nuclear Defense, Igniting Regional Tensions | Israel | Middle East Observer"
[3]:
https://www.jpost.com/middle-east/iran-news/article-858198?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Iranian in Tehran tells 'Post': No hostility to Israel from Iranians | The Jerusalem Post"
[4]:
https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2026/01/14/israel-iran-russia-secret-messages/?utm_source=chatgpt.com "Israel and Iran secretly reassured each other in messages via Russia - The Washington Post"