From 1925 to 1979, during the Pahlavi dynasty, Iran and Israel experienced one of the most successful strategic partnerships in the Middle East. This extensive cooperation, which intensified from the late 1950s, provides a unique example of how two non-Arab countries could realize their shared interests in a volatile region.
Key Insight
This era proves that Iran and Israel are capable of deep, mutually beneficial relations - a model that can inspire the future Cyrus Accords.
Foundation of Strategic Alliance
The Shah's Vision
Mohammad Reza Shah Pahlavi viewed Israel as a natural ally. Israel's strength and progress fascinated him, and its conflict with the Arab world and opposition to Communist influence in the region further promoted the strengthening of ties.
Periphery Strategy
The strengthening of ties since the early 1960s corresponded with Ben-Gurion's 'periphery concept' - an alliance between Israel and each of Iran, Turkey, and Ethiopia. Iran was perceived as an especially important country due to its strategic location, size, and economic potential.
Key Cooperation Factors
- •Both states felt threatened by Arab nationalism and Soviet influence
- •Iran was a Muslim (but not Arab) state with no apparent reason for conflict with Israel
- •Both countries sought modernization and technological advancement
The Trident Alliance 1958
Formation of Trilateral Intelligence Alliance
In 1958, a trilateral pact code-named 'Trident' was formed between Iran, Turkey, and Israel. This formal trilateral liaison was established by Mossad with Turkey's National Security Services and Iran's National Organisation for Intelligence and Security (SAVAK) in late 1958.
Israel - Mossad
Iran - SAVAK
Turkey - TNSS
Trident Alliance Achievements
At the first triangular meeting, heads of each national intelligence organization established an impressive array of cooperative intelligence ventures, some leading to subversion projects directed against Nasserist and Soviet regional influence.
- •Exchange of critical intelligence and joint counterintelligence operations
- •Full support for Kurdish insurgents against the Iraqi government
- •Joint operations in Arab countries against Soviet influence
Extensive Economic Cooperation
Trade Volume
In some years, Iran was one of the main destinations for Israeli exports. Private and state-owned Israeli companies, ranging from textiles, agriculture, electrical appliances, water, fertilizers, construction, aviation, shipping, gas, tires and even dentures, had been operating extensively in Iran.
Key Industries
Oil & Energy
The collaboration between Iran and Israel spanned diverse sectors such as oil, trade, security, agriculture, technology, and infrastructure development. The Eilat-Ashkelon oil pipeline stood out as one of the significant energy projects.
Energy Projects
- • Eilat-Ashkelon oil pipeline
- • Joint refineries
- • Oil & gas trade
Notable Trade Statistics
Military & Intelligence Cooperation
Deepening Mossad-SAVAK Relations
After security relations between the United States and Iran grew more distant in the early 1960s which led the CIA training team to leave Iran, Mossad became increasingly active in Iran, 'training SAVAK personnel and carrying out a broad variety of joint operations with SAVAK.'
CIA Replacement by Mossad
Following the dismissal and exile of the inaugural SAVAK Director, Teymur Bakhtiar, in 1965 by Shah Pahlavi on charges of conspiracy against him, numerous CIA agents and trainers within SAVAK were also expelled from the country and subsequently replaced by Mossad agents.
Training Programs
- • Interrogation techniques
- • Counterintelligence methods
- • Covert operations
Joint Operations
- • Infiltrating opposition groups
- • Operations in Arab countries
- • Countering Soviet influence
Military Equipment
Israel supported Iran in various capacities—training its military, supplying military hardware, and even aiding in setting up the notorious SAVAK, Iran's secret police.
Kurdistan Operations
In the 1960s and early 1970s Tehran enabled Israel to use its territory for extending invaluable military support to the Kurdish rebellion in northern Iraq, a move that served the Shah's goal of weakening Baghdad and asserting Iranian dominance throughout the Persian Gulf.
Strategic Goals
- • Weakening Iraq
- • Persian Gulf control
- • Supporting Kurdish autonomy
Water & Agricultural Technology
Israel's Agricultural Revolution in Iran
The Shah encouraged the establishment of a substantial presence in Iran of Israeli advisors, instructors and contractors in numerous spheres – from military and security affairs, to engineering and construction projects, to agricultural support, to exploitation of water resources.
Israeli Technologies
- 💧Drip Irrigation
Revolutionary technology developed by Netafim in 1960s
- 🏜️Desert Farming
Advanced techniques for cultivation in arid regions
- ⚗️Desalination
Technology for converting saltwater to freshwater
Specific Projects
Israelis were considered devoted, hard-working and supportive — especially after the tragic 1962 earthquake in the Qazvin area, where they eventually planned and remade their agriculture, village construction and communal organization.
Technical Conferences
Israeli agricultural experts travelled to Iran under commercial visas. Military officers wore civilian clothes. There were conferences on irrigation and desert farming in Tehran where Hebrew was spoken behind closed doors.
Long-term Impact
- • Iran's agricultural productivity increased by 30%
- • Thousands of hectares of barren land were irrigated
- • Modern villages with infrastructure were rebuilt
- • Training of Iranian students in Israel
Cultural & Social Exchanges
Hebrew School in Tehran
During the 1960s and 1970s, a Hebrew-language school was opened in Tehran for children of Israeli personnel stationed in Iran.
Direct Flights
Regular flights connected Tel Aviv and Tehran, facilitating easy business, tourism, and cultural exchange.
Iranian Jewish Community
Iranian Jews played an important role as bridges between the two countries, both in business and cultural understanding.
Cultural Exchange Statistics
Notable Achievements & Projects
Economic Achievements
Bilateral Trade Volume
- • Over $100 million in annual trade
- • Iran among Israel's top 5 trade partners
- • Iranian petrochemical exports to Israel
- • Import of Israeli technology and machinery
Joint Ventures
- • Eilat-Ashkelon oil pipeline
- • Joint tire manufacturing plants
- • Construction and housing projects
- • Joint aviation companies
Infrastructure Projects
Water & Irrigation
- • Modern irrigation systems
- • Desalination projects
- • Water resource management
Construction & Engineering
- • Modern residential complexes
- • Advanced urban planning
- • Industrial infrastructure
Transportation
- • Joint airline company
- • Persian Gulf shipping lines
- • Urban transport systems
Technology Transfer
Agricultural Technologies
Drip irrigation systems, greenhouse agriculture, and arid land cultivation techniques
Military Technologies
Radar systems, communication equipment, and air defense technologies
Industrial Technologies
Manufacturing equipment, textile technology, and industrial automation systems
Medical Technologies
Advanced medical equipment, pharmaceuticals, and diagnostic technologies
Lessons for the Future Cyrus Accords
Historical Success Model
The Pahlavi era proves that Iran and Israel can not only cooperate, but can create a deep, mutually beneficial strategic partnership. This 54-year experience provides a practical model for the future Cyrus Accords.
Key Success Factors
- •Shared Interests
Countering common threats and pursuing economic development
- •Visionary Leadership
Leaders who thought beyond regional prejudices
- •Technology Exchange
Transfer of knowledge and technology to improve people's lives
- •Gradualism
Building trust through practical and successful projects
Application to Cyrus Accords
Water Technology for Iran
Iran's water crisis can be solved with Israel's advanced technology, just as happened in the 1960s.
Energy Trade
Iran can be a reliable energy supplier for Israel, as in the Pahlavi era.
Joint Innovation
The startup ecosystems of both countries can collaborate and create global innovations.
Message of Hope for the Future
History has proven that Iran and Israel can be the best of partners. The Cyrus Accords is a path back to the golden days of cooperation, but this time with full participation of the peoples and for lasting regional peace.
Join the Cyrus Accords Movement
History has shown that Iran and Israel can be successful partners. Now is the time to revive this cooperation once again.