4 ms·

> I do not understand where the Irani animosity towards Israel comes from. Both countries are surrounded by arabs that hate them, wouldn't they all be better of

> I do not understand where the Irani animosity towards Israel comes from. Both countries are surrounded by arabs that hate them, wouldn't they all be better of as best buddies? I have studied this very question previously and it's a bit more complex than that. Iran had a democratically elected government, but in the early 50s, the UK & US orchestrated a coup that ousted that government, since they wanted to nationalize their natural resources and kick foreign oil firms out of the country. The U.S. the installed the King of Iran as their puppet dictator. The King was a close ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia as well. After some 20+ years, the dictator was overthrown in the Iranian Revolution of 1979. Part of Iran's national defense strategy since then, is to have allied forces in some neighboring countries like Lebanon, Iraq etc. These forces are not occupying the territories, they're native to the land, but just ideologically align more with Iran than other countries in the region. This strategy exists because Iran knows it would not be able to defeat an invasion on its own, were that to ever happen. Part of how Iran was able to attract their support was by positioning itself as the force to stand against Western abuses in the region, (including Israel). Because Israel was an ally of the old Iranian dictator, who was hated in Iran and because their abuses against the Palestinians, it was natural for Iran to position itself as against Israeli abuses, both because of its own history and because it strengthened its image as an alternative in the region against Western abuse. It is therefore far from true that "arabs hate them". Some Arabs hate Iranians, mostly Sunni gulf states, who supported the previous Iranian regime, but some consider them an ally, including a significant portion of Lebanon, Syria, portions of Yemen and the Palestinians. Looking at it this way, it does at least make some sense.

kamyarg 8y ago
Wanted to say thank you, this explains the situation very well.
- tome 8y ago
  It explains the situation very well indeed, precisely because it has developed to become "the" explanation of the other side of the argument.
enriquto 8y ago
Thanks for the explanation. It is just very sad that things turned out this way.
Kiriyat 8y ago
> I have studied this very question previously and it's a bit more complex than that. It's in fact far more complex that what you describe and I strongly urge readers to do their own research. > Iran had a democratically elected government, but in the early 50s, the UK & US orchestrated a coup that ousted that government, since they wanted to nationalize their natural resources and kick foreign oil firms out of the country. Iran had had a monarchy for 2500 years. Then, after a brief power struggle, Mohammed Mossadegh (previously appointed prime minister by the Shah himself) became a leader for two years. He did later win an election. Indeed, he was ousted by that coup and monarchy was restored. > The U.S. the installed the King of Iran as their puppet dictator. The King was a close ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia as well. Characterizing Reza Pahlavi as a dictator or a "close ally" of Israel is an exaggeration. He was a monarch - and a reluctant one at that. > These forces are not occupying the territories, they're native to the land, but just ideologically align more with Iran than other countries in the region. By these "forces", you must be referring to Hezbollah, the terrorist organization that killed over 300 peacekeeping forces in the Beirut bombing during the Lebanese civil war, or the Houthi rebels that played a major role in causing the ongoing the civil war in Yemen. > Part of how Iran was able to attract their support was by positioning itself as the force to stand against Western abuses in the region, (including Israel). Almost every Arab country in the region stands against Iran, to the point of covertly cooperating with Israel. Those who align with Iran are virtually all part of the Shia/Alawite religious minority.

kamyarg 8y ago

Wanted to say thank you, this explains the situation very well.

tome 8y ago
It explains the situation very well indeed, precisely because it has developed to become "the" explanation of the other side of the argument.

enriquto 8y ago

Thanks for the explanation. It is just very sad that things turned out this way.

Kiriyat 8y ago

> I have studied this very question previously and it's a bit more complex than that. It's in fact far more complex that what you describe and I strongly urge readers to do their own research. > Iran had a democratically elected government, but in the early 50s, the UK & US orchestrated a coup that ousted that government, since they wanted to nationalize their natural resources and kick foreign oil firms out of the country. Iran had had a monarchy for 2500 years. Then, after a brief power struggle, Mohammed Mossadegh (previously appointed prime minister by the Shah himself) became a leader for two years. He did later win an election. Indeed, he was ousted by that coup and monarchy was restored. > The U.S. the installed the King of Iran as their puppet dictator. The King was a close ally of Israel and Saudi Arabia as well. Characterizing Reza Pahlavi as a dictator or a "close ally" of Israel is an exaggeration. He was a monarch - and a reluctant one at that. > These forces are not occupying the territories, they're native to the land, but just ideologically align more with Iran than other countries in the region. By these "forces", you must be referring to Hezbollah, the terrorist organization that killed over 300 peacekeeping forces in the Beirut bombing during the Lebanese civil war, or the Houthi rebels that played a major role in causing the ongoing the civil war in Yemen. > Part of how Iran was able to attract their support was by positioning itself as the force to stand against Western abuses in the region, (including Israel). Almost every Arab country in the region stands against Iran, to the point of covertly cooperating with Israel. Those who align with Iran are virtually all part of the Shia/Alawite religious minority.