Hooman MajdPolitical Analyst & Iran Expert

Hooman Majd Considers Israeli Policy Toward Iran | Big Think

Name: Hooman Majd Considers Israeli Policy Toward Iran | Big Think
Uploaded: 2012-04-24T01:32:39+00:00
Duration: 2 min 45 s
Channel: Hooman Majd
Description: In this interview segment, Hooman Majd outlines the paradoxical history and current dynamics of Israel‑Iran relations. He notes that during the Iran‑Iraq…

24 Apr 2012 · 3 min

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2:45

In this interview segment, Hooman Majd outlines the paradoxical history and current dynamics of Israel‑Iran relations. He notes that during the Iran‑Iraq war Israel covertly supplied arms to Iran, reflecting a "enemy of my enemy" logic. Majd explains that, contrary to popular narratives, Israeli officials and journalists he has spoken to do not view Iran’s potential nuclear capability as an existential threat; a nuclear strike on Israel would cause massive Palestinian casualties and provoke retaliation, making it an irrational choice for Iran. The core Israeli concern, he argues, is Iran’s growing regional influence: Iran uniquely backs Hamas and advocates a one‑state solution for Palestine, positioning itself as the sole state openly opposing Israel’s existence. If Iran ever acquired a deliverable nuclear arsenal, it would challenge Israel’s status as the regional superpower and operate independently of U.S. direction. Consequently, Israel seeks to weaken Iran through various means—sabotaging its nuclear program, undermining the Revolutionary Guards, and leveraging extensive espionage networks. Majd also suggests that Iran likely maintains reciprocal intelligence assets within Israel, underscoring a mutual covert contest.

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I don't know if that's true. I mean, Israel has had a strange relationship with Iran. During the Iran-Iraq War, Israel was actually giving arms, secretly arms to Iran to, you know, it was like, you know, the enemy of my enemy is my friend on that basis. And, you know, from my understanding, what I understand from the Israelis that I've spoken to, I think that Israeli journalists I've spoken to and some Iranian Israelis, Iranians who live in Israel, the Israeli government really doesn't think Iran is there as an existential threat to Israel. They don't believe that Iran is going to build a nuke and then drop it on Tel Aviv or Jerusalem. First of all, it would kill way more Palestinians than it would kill Israelis. Secondly, it would invite a retaliation of the sort. I mean, they're not suicidal. They're not looking to wipe Iran off the face of the map. But this question of power, Israel is definitely wary and concerned about Iran's power because you have this country that at least rhetorically is saying it's against Israel, against the existence of Israel, is supporting a one-state solution when everyone else is supporting a two-state solution. Iran is the only country that's supporting Hamas and its one-state solution. Syria is a little bit different because Syria's main concern with Israel is the Golan Heights and their security with Israel, their security arrangement, whatever security arrangement they make with Israel. But Iran is a different country. It is standing up and saying, we are the one country that is standing up to Israel. And if Iran were to have a military that was capable of challenging Israel, which it doesn't have right now, and that would mean that if it were to ever possess nuclear weapons that were deliverable and usable, then Israel's stature as the sole superpower in the region would be challenged by a country that is not going to— that is not subservient to America, at least is not going to take orders from America, and would challenge them on the Palestinian issue. So that is of grave concern to Israel. I think Israel would like to see Iran weakened however they can. It weakens Hamas, it weakens anybody who challenges Israel. But a secret war, I mean, yes, I'm sure that Israel is doing all kinds of things to try to either sabotage the nuclear program, sabotage the Revolutionary Guards, sabotage Iran's military. I'm sure it has a vast network of espionage in Iran, much, much better than ours, if we have any network at all. So I'm sure there's that kind of thing going on. And by the way, vice versa, you know, some Iranians have probably a network inside Israel.