In September 1979, the Israeli investigative weekly ‘HaOlam HaZeh’ published an edition anticipating the immense consequences of Iran’s Islamic Revolution. This cover, recently rediscovered and shared by Iranian opposition channels on social media, has drawn attention to Israel’s longstanding ability to assess and respond rapidly to regional changes—particularly the emergence of hostile regimes and terror networks threatening national security.
The return of this magazine to the public eye, decades after its initial release, demonstrates the depth of Israeli strategic culture and its enduring relevance in the face of current challenges posed by the Iranian regime and its proxies.
Lede and Context
The Islamic Revolution in Iran, culminating in February 1979, led to the ouster of the Shah and the rise of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini’s clerical regime. While global reactions ranged from confusion to cautious optimism, Israeli analysts sensed the seismic threat the revolution represented. Within months, anti-Israel slogans replaced previous strategic ties, and Iran, under Khomeini, began supporting terrorism as a pillar of foreign policy. Israeli intelligence and the security apparatus quickly recognized that this ideological transformation would have destabilizing consequences for Israel and the region.
The 1979 ‘HaOlam HaZeh’ cover, circulated today by regime opponents, is accompanied by the caption: ‘how quickly and accurately [the Israelis] understood what was about to happen.’ This reaction underscores Israel’s acute awareness of regional threats and the accuracy of its early warnings, which have since been validated by events unfolding over four decades.
Historical Perspective and Strategic Assessment
During the late 1970s, Israel’s security establishment had already been shaped by wars on multiple fronts and by a tradition of vigilance. The fall of Iran’s monarchy and the rise of Khomeini’s Islamist regime raised immediate alarms in Jerusalem. Israel’s national security doctrine, built on skeptical analysis and rapid adaptation, prepared it for an era of irregular warfare—anticipating that the new Iranian leadership would replace conventional threats with a shadow war fuelled by ideology and terrorism.
Iran’s post-revolutionary government soon cut all ties with Israel, closed Israel’s diplomatic mission, and initiated extensive support for anti-Israel groups. This policy emphasized arming, funding, and training organizations like Hezbollah in Lebanon and, eventually, Hamas in Gaza. Israeli analysts, both within intelligence circles and the press, described this pivot as the launching point for a long-term regional strategy designed to encircle, destabilize, and eventually destroy Israel by proxy.
Evolution of the Threat: Terror Networks and Regional Alliances
Since 1979, the Islamic Republic has cultivated a web of terrorist organizations and client militias extending from Lebanon (Hezbollah) across Iraq, Syria, Gaza (Hamas, Islamic Jihad), and Yemen (Houthis). The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) has served as the primary driver of this strategy, translating anti-Zionist rhetoric into advanced missile programs, drone proliferation, and direct operational support for attacks against Israeli and Western targets.
Israel’s early warnings, highlighted by foreign opposition actors today, were grounded in meticulous intelligence analysis. Over the last four decades, Iran’s proxies have engaged in direct conflict with Israel—including Hezbollah’s rocket campaigns from Lebanon and Hamas’s attacks from Gaza. The October 7th massacre, the deadliest attack on Jews since the Holocaust, demonstrated the enduring danger of these Iranian-backed terror groups and validated Israel’s long-standing caution regarding the scope of the regime’s ambitions.
Security Policy and Regional Implications
Israeli readiness, shaped by early recognition of the Iranian threat, is evident in its multi-layered defense approaches. The Iron Dome missile defense system, intelligence sharing with Western and Arab partners, preemptive operations targeting Iranian weapons transfers, and ongoing advocacy for sanctions against the regime all reflect a strategic culture defined by foresight and adaptation.
The threat posed by Iran is not limited to Gaza or Israel’s borders. The regime’s “Axis of Resistance,” actively coordinated by the IRGC, now challenges security and stability from Syria to Yemen and endangers international shipping routes in the Red Sea.
International Response and Historical Lessons
Israel’s initial warnings in 1979 encountered skepticism from the West, where policymakers underestimated the regime’s ideological hostility and reach. Over subsequent decades, however, the reality of Iranian-sponsored terror and regional subversion has forced a recalibration of U.S. and European policy. Initiatives such as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) reflected attempts to constrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions, but repeated violations and escalations have reinforced Israel’s original assessment: the Iranian threat is persistent, strategic, and ideological.
Learning from this history, Israeli security doctrine continues to emphasize the dangers of appeasement and the necessity of vigilance. The rediscovery of the 1979 magazine serves as a timely reminder that ignoring intelligence assessments in favor of political expedience invites instability and disaster.
Contemporary Relevance and Outlook
As Iranian opposition activists struggle for freedom and regional partners reconsider alliances and security guarantees, Israel’s experience—as documented in 1979—remains highly relevant. Today, Israel stands as a frontline democracy defending itself against IRGC-driven proxies and repeated terror assaults. The ability to foresee and adapt to threats, rooted in a society shaped by continual challenge, is essential not only for Israel’s survival but for regional and global security.
Conclusion
A 1979 Israeli magazine, resurfaced in modern opposition media, illustrates the enduring importance of clarity, intelligence, and readiness in the face of evolving threats. Israel’s strategic foresight concerning post-revolution Iran—ridiculed or ignored by many at the time—has been vindicated by history. As the Iranian regime and its proxies continue to destabilize the region, Israel’s commitment to defending itself, informed by accurate analysis and a culture of preparedness, remains unwavering.
