Simone Lawson
Israel and Iran have had a tense relationship since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, with Iran seeing Israel as its arch-enemy and repeatedly threatening to destroy it. The two countries have engaged in proxy conflicts, with Iran supplying Hezbollah with substantial training, weapons, and financial and political aid, and Israel accusing Iran and Hezbollah of terrorist attacks on Israeli targets worldwide. The situation is further complicated by their respective nuclear programs, with Israel trying to stop Iran's nuclear development through diplomatic and covert means, including the 2010 Stuxnet cyberattack, which damaged Iranian nuclear facilities. Despite these efforts, Iran's nuclear program has progressed, and the countries' complex relationship continues to evolve with ongoing regional tensions.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Stuxnet discovery | June 2010 |
| Stuxnet's target | Iran's nuclear facilities |
| Stuxnet's damage | 1,000 out of 5,000-6,000 centrifuges |
| Iran-Israel relations | Tense, Iran sees Israel as its arch-enemy |
| History of conflict | Yes, since the 1980s |
| Proxy conflict | Hezbollah |
| Israel-US collaboration | Yes |
| US administration's approach | Diplomacy to restrain and monitor Iran's nuclear program |
| Israel's approach | Diplomacy and covert operations |
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What You'll Learn
Israel and Iran's history of diplomacy
Israel and Iran were allies until 1979, when the Islamic revolution took place. Since then, Iran has seen Israel as its arch-enemy, and Iranian leaders have repeatedly threatened to destroy the country.
In 2005, the election of Iranian hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad further strained relations between the two countries. Iran has also supplied the militant organization Hezbollah with substantial amounts of training, weapons, explosives, financial, political, diplomatic, and organizational aid, persuading them to take action against Israel.
In 2010, a powerful computer virus called Stuxnet attacked Iran's nuclear facilities, causing concern among US officials. Stuxnet was a cyberweapon built jointly by the US and Israel to slow Iran's progress toward building an atomic bomb. It was a sophisticated malicious computer worm that infected the software of at least 14 industrial sites in Iran, including a uranium-enrichment plant. It destroyed nearly 1,000 of Iran's 6,000 centrifuges, which are essential for building an atomic bomb.
Since Stuxnet, Iran and Israel have regularly accused each other of cyberattacks. Iran has also blamed Israel for other attacks on its nuclear program, including the seizure of a ship in 2009 carrying weapons allegedly bound for Hezbollah, and an explosion at a nuclear facility in Isfahan.
Israel has also conducted various covert operations against Iran's nuclear program, and Israeli officials have mentioned the possibility of a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities. However, an actual strike would be problematic due to the risk of Iranian retribution. Instead, Israel has used diplomacy and covert operations to achieve moderate success in trying to stop Iran's nuclear program.
The Obama administration attempted to use diplomacy to restrain and monitor Iran's nuclear program, but these efforts were largely unsuccessful in convincing Israel, and the Trump administration imposed heavy sanctions on Iran to force concessions on its nuclear program.
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Stuxnet's impact on Iran's nuclear program
Stuxnet, a malicious computer worm, was first discovered in 2010 and is believed to have been in development since at least 2005. It is thought to be a cyberweapon built jointly by the United States and Israel, although neither country has openly admitted responsibility. The cyberattack targeted Iran's nuclear program, specifically the Natanz nuclear material enrichment facility, and is believed to have caused substantial damage.
Stuxnet infected the software of at least 14 industrial sites in Iran, including a uranium-enrichment plant. It targeted Microsoft Windows machines and networks, repeatedly replicating itself and seeking out Siemens Step7 software, which is used to program industrial control systems that operate equipment such as centrifuges. The worm compromised the programmable logic controllers, allowing its authors to spy on the industrial systems and cause the centrifuges to tear themselves apart, unbeknownst to the human operators.
The attack is estimated to have destroyed nearly 1,000 of Iran's 6,000 centrifuges, which are essential for enriching uranium and building an atomic bomb. This was a significant setback for Iran's nuclear program, as it took time to replace the damaged machines. However, Iran has continued its efforts to enrich uranium and expand its nuclear program despite the attack.
The development and deployment of Stuxnet involved months of testing and planning. The CIA and Israeli intelligence services oversaw the creation of the malware, which was designed to gain physical access to the Natanz facility by infecting plant equipment not connected to the Internet. This required the involvement of spies and unwitting accomplices, such as engineers and plant technicians, who may have unknowingly connected infected devices to the systems.
The impact of Stuxnet on Iran's nuclear program extended beyond the technical damage. It heightened tensions between Iran and the US-led coalition, with Iran blaming Western countries for the attack. Iran has repeatedly asserted that its nuclear program is solely for peaceful purposes, such as generating electricity. The cyberattack also had broader implications for cyberwarfare, demonstrating the potential effectiveness and value of cyber weapons in causing physical damage outside of controlled testing environments.
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Israel's covert actions against Iran
Israel and Iran have been engaged in a proxy conflict since the 1980s. The two countries had close relations until 1979, seeing Arab powers as a common threat. However, formal relations between the two countries ended after the 1979 Islamic revolution.
Israel has opposed US efforts to renew an international nuclear pact with Iran, which unravelled after then-President Donald Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018. In 2021, Israel's military chief Lt. Gen. Aviv Kohavi vowed to step up actions, including covert operations, against Iran and its nuclear program.
Israel has carried out several covert actions against Iran, including:
- In 2010, Israel, along with the US, launched a cyberattack called Stuxnet against Iran's nuclear facilities, damaging centrifuges used for uranium enrichment.
- In 2012, Israel shot down a small UAV sent by Hezbollah, which contained parts manufactured in Iran.
- In 2022, Israel conducted a UAS strike targeting Iran's Parchin military complex.
- Israel has also been linked to the assassination of IRGC Colonel Sayad Khodayee, a high-ranking member of the IRGC Qods Force, in 2022.
- Israel has seized ships carrying Iranian weapons to Hezbollah and Gaza.
- Israel was suspected of being responsible for an explosion that damaged the nuclear facility at Isfahan.
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The role of the US in Israel-Iran relations
The United States has had a complex and evolving role in Israel-Iran relations, with its policies often shaped by the ongoing proxy conflict between the two countries.
Historically, the US has sought to maintain a delicate balance in the Middle East, supporting Arab states' independence, aiding the development of oil-producing countries, and preventing an arms race in the region. In the context of Israel-Iran relations, the US has played a role in both diplomatic efforts and clandestine operations.
One notable example of US involvement in Israel-Iran relations is the Stuxnet cyberattack. In 2010, it was revealed that the US and Israel had collaborated on a cyberweapon, known as Stuxnet, which targeted Iran's nuclear facilities. The Stuxnet worm was designed to set back Iran's nuclear program, which both the US and Israel viewed as a potential threat. This operation, code-named Olympic Games, was authorized by President Obama as a way to slow Iran's progress toward building an atomic bomb without resorting to traditional military action.
The US has also been involved in diplomatic efforts to negotiate a return to Iran's atomic accord. These negotiations have been challenging due to ongoing tensions and incidents, such as the seizure of weapons shipments and alleged assassination plots. The US has found itself in a delicate position, navigating between its commitment to Israel's security and its efforts to engage with Iran.
Additionally, the US has had a significant influence on Israel's military capabilities and has provided defense packages worth billions of dollars. In 2009, President Obama authorized the sale of bunker buster bombs to Israel, and the Obama administration also paved the way for the development of the Iron Dome missile defense system. However, the US has also vetoed Israeli plans to attack Iranian nuclear facilities and has pressured Israel to accept a Palestinian state, causing strain in their relationship.
In recent years, the US has taken steps to strengthen its alliance with Israel while confronting Iran. In 2018, President Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal and renewed sanctions. Trump also recognized Israeli sovereignty over the Golan Heights and played a role in establishing formal relations between Israel and the United Arab Emirates. These actions signaled a shift in US policy towards a more confrontational approach with Iran and a stronger commitment to Israel.
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The future of diplomacy between Israel and Iran
Israel and Iran have had a tense relationship since the 1979 Islamic Revolution in Iran. The two countries have been engaged in a proxy conflict since the 1980s, with Iran providing support to Hezbollah and other Shia militias, and Israel taking actions to stop Iran's nuclear program.
Another issue affecting the relationship between Israel and Iran is the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah, a militant organization backed by Iran. Israel has accused Iran and Hezbollah of carrying out terrorist attacks against Israeli targets worldwide. In addition, Israel and Iran have differing views on the Israel-Palestine conflict, with Iran supporting Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hamas.
Despite the tensions, there have been some efforts at diplomacy between Israel and Iran. For example, during the Obama administration, the US tried to use diplomacy to restrain and monitor Iran's nuclear program through the JCPOA. However, these efforts were ultimately unsuccessful, as the Trump administration withdrew from the JCPOA and imposed heavy sanctions on Iran.
In conclusion, the future of diplomacy between Israel and Iran is uncertain, but it is likely that the relationship will remain strained due to ongoing conflicts and differences in ideology. While there have been some diplomatic efforts, such as the JCPOA, these have not been able to overcome the deep-seated tensions between the two countries.
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Frequently asked questions
Stuxnet is a malicious computer worm that was discovered in 2010. It is believed to have been developed by the US and Israel to attack Iran's nuclear facilities.
No, there is no evidence of increased diplomacy between Israel and Iran since Stuxnet. In fact, relations between the two countries have been tense since the 1979 Islamic revolution in Iran, and they are still locked in an ongoing proxy conflict.
Israel and Iran used to be allies until 1979, when the Islamic revolution in Iran led to the termination of formal relations between the two countries. Since then, Iran has seen Israel as its arch-enemy and has repeatedly threatened to destroy it. Iran has also supplied the militant organization Hezbollah with substantial amounts of training, weapons, and financial support, and encouraged it to take action against Israel.
Stuxnet is believed to have damaged up to 1,000 centrifuges out of 5,000-6,000 located in Iran's Natanz nuclear facility. This set back Iran's atomic program and prompted the country to expand its nuclear program.
