A Discussion | 

Neta Talmud, VLJI in conversation with Prof. Lior Sternfeld, Pennsylvania State University

Since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, Israel and Iran, which formerly cooperated strategically, have become bitter enemies. In this conversation we will consider why Israel’s alliance with Iran was important to both countries and we will examine the process of decline in the relations between them after Iran became an Islamic republic. We will consider the internal and regional interests of the two countries and we will delve into the mutual “annihilation discourse” that has escalated between them: the annihilation of Israel, on the one hand, and the collapse of the Revolutionary regime, on the other. One of the questions raised will be whether Iran’s race toward nuclear power is aimed at annihilating the State of Israel or maintaining the Revolutionary regime, and what meanings can be derived from that regarding the diplomatic and military choices of the two parties.