🕊 Iran & Israel: A Story of Friends, Enemies, and Hope

🌎 Iran & Israel history explained for kids who want to understand the world 🌎

🏜️ Once Upon a Time in the Middle East...

A long time ago — in the late 1940s — two countries in the Middle East were not enemies at all. In fact, they were friendly.

Those countries? Iran and Israel.

Iran is a large, ancient land with tall mountains, deserts, and cities full of poetry, science, and history.

Israel is a small but powerful country by the sea, created in 1948 as a home for Jewish people after World War II.

Back then, Iran was ruled by a king called the Shah, and he liked Israel. The two countries traded, worked on secret projects, and even helped each other grow food and energy.

But then... the friendship faded. And a very different story began.

🔥The Revolution That Changed Everything (1979)

In 1979, something huge happened: The Iranian Revolution.

The people of Iran were angry. They said the Shah was unfair, too rich, and too friendly with countries like the United States and Israel. They wanted change.

So the Shah was kicked out, and a powerful religious leader named Ayatollah Khomeini took over. He turned Iran into an Islamic Republic — a country ruled by strict religious laws.

From that moment, Iran stopped being friends with Israel.

The new Iranian leaders believed that Israel had stolen land from Palestinians and was unfair to Muslims. They refused to recognize Israel as a country and called it “the enemy.”

😡 Enemies in the Shadows

After that, Iran and Israel began to see each other as threats.

Iran started helping groups that fight Israel, like:

Hezbollah in Lebanon

Hamas in Gaza

These groups often launched attacks on Israeli towns. Iran gave them money, training, and weapons.

Israel, in return, fought back — with airstrikes, secret missions, and spying. But the two countries never had a full war between each other.

It was like a game of chess in the shadows — moves and counter-moves, each side watching the other closely.

💣 The Nuclear Danger

In the 2000s, Iran began building nuclear power plants. They said it was for energy. But Israel — and other countries — worried Iran was secretly trying to build a nuclear bomb.

A nuclear bomb is super powerful and can destroy entire cities. Israel said, “If Iran builds one, they might use it against us.”

The world got involved.

The United States and United Nations put sanctions (rules to block trade) on Iran.

In 2015, a Nuclear Deal was signed: Iran promised not to build bombs, and in return, the world eased the sanctions.

But Israel didn’t trust it. “They’ll cheat,” Israeli leaders said.

🛰 Cyber Attacks & Secret Missions

Even without war, Iran and Israel were fighting secretly.

Iran’s scientists and military buildings were mysteriously attacked.

Israel’s computers were targeted by cyber attacks.

Iran sent drones and missiles to Israel’s enemies.

Israel struck back by stopping weapons shipments and using high-tech spying tools.

It wasn’t a regular war — it was a high-tech, secret battle that most people never saw on the news.

🌐 New Friends, Old Enemies

In 2020, something surprising happened. Israel made peace with some Arab countries like the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain. These new deals were called the Abraham Accords.

Iran was not happy.

They saw Israel growing stronger in the Middle East, while they were more isolated.

Meanwhile, Iran kept supporting enemies of Israel, and Israel kept trying to block Iran’s plans.

💥 2023–2024: From Tensions to Attacks

In October 2023, a big war started between Israel and Hamas in Gaza. Iran said they supported Hamas, but didn’t send troops.

Then in April 2024, something happened that hadn’t happened in years: Iran directly attacked Israel.

They sent missiles and drones. Israel shot down most of them and fired back.

People around the world held their breath. Would this turn into a real war?

Thankfully, after a few days, things calmed down. But the danger is still there.

But Wait — What About Peace? 🕊️

Even though the governments of Iran and Israel are enemies, many people in both countries don’t want war.

Some Iranians wish for peace and a better future.

Some Israelis hope for calm and safety for everyone.

And many kids and teens, just like you, are asking, “Why can’t we stop fighting?”

The truth is, wars don’t start with regular people. They start with fear, power, and politics. But peace starts with understanding. And learning about other people’s stories — like you're doing right now — is the first step toward a better world.

🌈 Final Thought

Iran and Israel have gone from friends to fierce enemies.

They’ve argued, fought in secret, and stood on the edge of war.

But nothing — not even decades of fighting — can erase the chance for hope.

Someday, with new leaders, new ideas, and brave voices from young people like you...

Peace could still be possible.

Watch this video if you want to learn more!

POLL! What Would YOU Do?🤔

If YOU were the leader of Iran or Israel, what would be your first step toward peace? (Pick the one that sounds most like you!)

• Start a peace club for kids in both countries
• Make a giant video call and just talk it out
• Invite each other to a big sports game 🏀
• Share food, music, and art to learn about each other

See All Options