Fact Check: Israel and Iran have had ongoing conflicts since the late 20th century.

Fact Check: "Israel and Iran have had ongoing conflicts since the late 20th century."

What We Know

The claim that Israel and Iran have had ongoing conflicts since the late 20th century is supported by historical events and documented military engagements. Following the Iranian Revolution in 1979, which established an Islamic Republic, relations between Israel and Iran deteriorated significantly. Iran's new leadership adopted an anti-Israel stance, which included support for groups opposed to Israel, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in Gaza (NPR, The New York Times).

Since the late 20th century, particularly from the 1980s onward, Israel and Iran have engaged in a series of covert operations and proxy conflicts. This includes military actions attributed to Israel against Iranian interests in Syria and cyber warfare aimed at Iran's nuclear program (Washington Post). The situation escalated further in the 2000s and 2010s, with both nations involved in direct and indirect confrontations, such as the assassination of Iranian nuclear scientists and attacks on Iranian military assets (The Times of Israel).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim is robust, as multiple reputable sources outline a clear timeline of conflict between Israel and Iran beginning in the late 20th century. The NPR article highlights the ideological shift in Iran post-1979, which marked the beginning of hostilities. Furthermore, the New York Times provides a detailed timeline of military engagements and covert operations that illustrate the ongoing nature of the conflict.

However, it is essential to consider the reliability of the sources. NPR and The New York Times are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. The Washington Post also provides a comprehensive overview of the conflict's evolution, making these sources credible. In contrast, Wikipedia articles, while useful for general information, should be approached with caution due to their collaborative nature and potential for bias (Wikipedia).

The claim is further substantiated by the historical context provided in the World Factbook, which outlines Israel's military engagements since its establishment in 1948, including conflicts that involve Iran indirectly through proxy wars.

Conclusion

The verdict on the claim that "Israel and Iran have had ongoing conflicts since the late 20th century" is True. The historical context, supported by multiple credible sources, confirms that the conflict has been sustained and multifaceted, involving direct military actions, proxy warfare, and ideological opposition since the late 1970s.

Fact Check: Israel and Iran have had ongoing conflicts since the late 20th century.