By Rajan George
Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, when the Ayatollahs overthrew the Shah and established the Islamic Republic of Iran, the regime has relentlessly called for the destruction of Israel—the world’s only Jewish state. This hostility has never been driven by any direct provocation from Israel, but rather by a deep-rooted ideological and religious hatred that the regime has never sought to conceal.
Iran’s enmity toward Israel is not limited to rhetoric. Through its network of militant proxies—such as Hezbollah in Lebanon, Hamas in Gaza, and the Houthis in Yemen—Iran has fueled regional instability and incited violence against Israel and its allies. These groups have openly declared their intent to annihilate Israel, a nation that has never initiated conflict with Iran.
But Iran’s ambitions do not end with Israel. The Islamic Republic views the entire Western world as adversarial and extends its animosity to any nation that aligns itself with Israel. Ironically, despite being an Islamic theocracy, Iran also finds itself isolated in the Middle East. Many neighboring Muslim-majority countries view Iran’s actions with suspicion or outright hostility.
This animus toward Israel may stem from more than just religious ideology. Iran’s leadership might fear Israel’s growing regional influence and technological superiority. Though Iran’s population exceeds 92 million and its territory spans over 636,000 square miles—ten times the size of Israel—its smaller rival, with just under 10 million citizens and a land area of 8,355 square miles, is viewed as a formidable threat.
A basic principle of coexistence is “live and let live.” Hatred as national policy is a path to self-destruction. Any government that chooses to build its future on animosity rather than cooperation erodes its own foundation. Hatred is like a moth—quietly devouring the house from within.
Iran’s leaders have frequently referred to Israel as the “Small Satan,” while calling the United States the “Great Satan.” But such labels may reflect more about the accuser than the accused. When one fails to engage in honest self-reflection, it becomes easy to project evil onto others. This moral blindness can ultimately backfire, bringing about consequences the accuser never anticipated.
Since 1979, the Ayatollah-led regime has done little to advance Iran’s prosperity. Once a flourishing nation with a rich cultural history, Iran has regressed into authoritarianism. Basic freedoms are brutally suppressed. Women can be executed for not wearing a hijab. Public dissent is met with hangings. Apostasy is punishable by death. While ordinary citizens face harsh punishments for minor offenses, their essential needs—like healthcare, employment, and infrastructure—are neglected.
A government exists to serve its people, not to dominate them. But in Iran, the ruling elite have chosen control over compassion. From their luxurious palaces, they have imposed religious orthodoxy while neglecting their duties to govern responsibly. Instead of investing in their nation’s development, they have poured resources into funding terrorism across the globe.
Despite sanctions imposed by Western nations, Iran has continued to sell oil to countries like India and China—often trading in local currencies to bypass international restrictions. The proceeds have often been funneled into terrorist organizations with one mission: to kill and destroy. In prioritizing the destruction of perceived enemies over the welfare of their own people, Iran’s leaders have sacrificed national progress.
This long-standing antagonism reached a breaking point in recent months. Intelligence reports revealed that Iran was nearing the capability to produce 9–10 nuclear weapons—openly aimed at destroying Israel. Given Iran’s history of hostility, Israel could not afford to remain passive. Waiting would mean facing a nuclear-armed adversary whose leaders have openly called for their annihilation.
On October 7, 2023, the world witnessed a horrifying escalation when Hamas launched a brutal attack on Israel, killing 1,200 civilians and taking 250 hostages. The attack served as a grim reminder of what Iran’s proxy networks are capable of. In response, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared, “The time for action is now,” and authorized a precision strike against Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure.
The operation was surgical—targeting nuclear sites, missile facilities, and high-ranking military officials—while deliberately avoiding civilian casualties. The world took notice. Iran’s allies were silent, unable or unwilling to respond. The regime had been given numerous chances to return to diplomacy. In fact, former U.S. President Donald Trump had offered Iran a 60-day window to halt all nuclear activity. Iran refused.
Hatred is never a path to victory. It always returns to consume the one who harbors it. Nations that sow violence and death reap destruction, not just from outside forces but from within. A government obsessed with eliminating others often fails to protect or uplift its own people. Ultimately, such regimes collapse under the weight of their own bitterness.
785 words, 4 minutes read time.
About The Author
