Iran and Israel: Dangerous Game.

Israel and Iran have been locked in a deadly duel for decades. Ever since Ayatollah Khomeini came to power in 1979, both nations have been at loggerheads. Israel did help Iran briefly, in the First Gulf War of 1980 - 1981. Iraq was a common enemy of Israel and Iran. Israel helped the Iranians with weapons. Sadly, that moment in history is a blip in an otherwise confrontational relationship.

Israel founded in 1948 as a Jewish only nation though others can live there. Israel is backed to the hilt by the US and other Western nations. Israel is a Westernised democracy. The Jewish state is an innovative bastion of skill and talent. Its armed forces are probably the most advanced in the region. It has fought for its very survival in countless wars with Arab neighbours. Israel has come under fire over the years for its treatment of Palestinians.

The Islamic Republic of Iran was founded in 1979 after overthrowing the monarchy. Iran could narrowly be described as democracy. However, all candidates and parties must adhere to the constitution of the Islamic Revolution. Iran fought a war with Iraq. Iran has faced sanctions for years. The affect on its economy and people is profound because of these sanctions. Iran has its own arms industry where it is largely able to supply itself. The rule of the Ayatollahs is harsh based on a strict interpretation of Sharia Law. That said, women though restricted in many areas, are freer than women under the Taliban. Iran backs proxy forces in the area. Groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and other groups like Hamas (a non-Shia group) and militias in Syria and Iraq.

I won't bore you with how the Israel-Gaza war started. Instead, this war has spilled over with Israel battling Hezbollah, Iraqi and Syrian forces, and the Houthis in Yemen. As stated above, Iran does its confrontation with Israel through these groups. Israel for its part usually takes action against these groups.

Israel on 1 April attacked and destroyed a building opposite the Iranian Embassy in Dasmascus, Syria. Iranian top brass of the IRGC were killed (Islamic Reublican Guards Corps). Also, Syrians who worked at the building like cleaners, were killed. Iran was outraged by the actions and rightly so.

Let me state here, I do not support the regime in Iran, just as I do not support the fascist regime of Israel. However, in attacking an embassy of Iran, killing top military officers, Israel's act was illegal. Israel also invaded the airspace of a sovereign country - Syria. Again I do not agree with the regime of Bashar Assad either, however, according to international law what Israel did was wrong. Israel may have known what the Iranian Generals and Hezbollah personnel were planning hence its action. However, Israel still broke international law in its actions.

The West and especially the US did not condemn Israel's actions. Only Iran's Allies Russia, China, and North Korea would do so and no doubt, have. It seems for some reason Israel is allowed to get away with such actions. The US who backs up Israel could have stopped this and other IDF actions. However, it seems Netanyahu has the green light to do, whatever He wants. Israel does, like any nation, have the right to defend itself. However, Israel has gone over the top in what it has done in Gaza. Yet for all of Israel's actions hostages are still held in Gaza and Hamas is not defeated.

Under that very law that allows nations to defend themselves so then does Iran. Whether you agree with a nations government or not, any nation if attacked has the right to fight back. Iran threatened to hit back and last Saturday it did. Launching drones and missiles towards Israel.

Thankfully, thanks to Israeli and Allied anti-aircraft weapons and planes, Iran's attack was blunted. Some missiles got through but did very little damage. Since the Iranian onslaught, people have wondered why the Iranian attack was not more effective?

Some say the Iranian armaments were not up to the task and were largely shot out of the sky by superior tech. Others say Iran gave Israel 72 hours to prepare and launched old armaments at Israel not wishing to fight a full blown war with Israel.

Israel now says it will hit back at Iran at a time of its choosing. It seems Israel will deliver a very hard blow to Iran. Iran for its part has said the moment Israeli planes are in the air bound for Iran, it will unleash a full scale missile attack on Israel and this time, it won't hold back.

No doubt, we are in very dangerous territory and it could lead to WW III. China, Russia, and North Korea will take the side of Iran. The US, UK, France, Germany, even other Arab nations will stand with Israel.