Israel-Iran Conflict: Decades-Old Rivalry Escalates, Why it Matters for India

• The Israel-Iran conflict, a significant geopolitical confrontation in West Asia, has been a proxy war for nearly four decades, escalating recently.
• The roots of the conflict trace back to the 1979 Iranian Islamic Revolution, when Iran withdrew recognition of Israel and declared it a 'Zionist regime'.
• Key reasons for the conflict include ideological differences, Iran's proxy warfare supporting groups like Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis, and concerns over Iran's nuclear program.
• Despite Iran's claims of a peaceful nuclear program, Israel has long asserted Iran is close to developing nuclear weapons.
• Both nations are crucial for India: Israel provides defense and agricultural technology, while Iran, a former oil supplier, hosts India's strategic Chabahar Port, offering access to Central Asia.