Iran, Israel and the Middle East Conflict1

Abstract

The Islamic revolution in Iran led to a dramatic change in the country's foreign policy outlook and in its involvement in the international arena. Gradually, however, the new regime was forced to adapt its dogma to reality, and became increasingly pragmatic. One major area in which Iran's policy has remained excessively uncompromising has been the inherent hostility to Israel, rejection of Zionism and the legitimacy of the Jewish state. In this case, ideological hostility did not seem to conflict with pragmatic interests of state. The attitudes expressed by Iranian politicians, polemicists and intellectuals towards Israel have come to represent the ideological framework and political reality of the state.