Constructing Enmity: Cultural Narratives and Identity Politics in the Israel–Iran Rivalry

The United States and Israel’s pre-emptive strikes on Iran, aimed at destroying Iranian nuclear facilities, have contributed to the latest confrontation between the US–Israel axis and Iran, marking a sharp escalation characterised by retaliatory attacks and an ongoing strategic standoff that underscores deepening tensions over nuclear capabilities and regional influence. Iran’s continued support for allied militant groups such as Hezbollah, Hamas and the Houthis—rooted in its pursuit of regional predominance and Shiite ideological influence—has further intensified its rivalry with Israel. Iran’s attitude towards Israel and the United States reflects a complex mixture of religious and ethnic hostility, as well as elements of admiration. Beneath Iran’s hostility lies a more nuanced reality in which opposition coexists with selective admiration for American and Israeli achievements, institutions and modernity. Moreover, the domestic political dynamics of both Iran and Israel are closely intertwined with their foreign policies, as internal pressures generate a cycle of hostility driven by ideological and political priorities within each state. Ideology and religious narratives not only define each nation’s self-image but also shape foreign policies in which both Iran and Israel perceive each other as ideological and existential adversaries. The role of the United States remains critical and deeply intertwined with concerns over Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. In this context, the article analyses the Iran–Israel rivalry through the interplay of cultural and ideational factors by drawing on a social constructivist approach to international relations. It argues that the ongoing conflict is driven not only by geopolitical competition but also by deep-rooted ideological and identity-based differences that sustain mutual mistrust and perceptions of threat.