Iran vs Israel: Anatomy of a Predicted War
The United States and Israel pursue regime change and a lasting shift in West Asia’s balance of power. For the Islamic Republic, the conflict represents nothing less than a fight for survival.
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In July 1977, Mohammad Reza Pahlavi dispatched his Deputy Minister of War and Armaments, Lt. Gen. Hassan Toufanian, to Israel for confidential talks with the newly elected Likud government led by Menachem Begin. Just three months earlier, the Shah had concluded six “oil-for-arms” agreements with Shimon Peres, who was serving as acting prime minister in the previous interim administration. Among them was a highly classified project, code-named “Flower,” under which Israel would upgrade its advanced surface-to-surface missiles for sale to Iran.
Toufanian’s visit aimed to ensure that the transition of power in Israel would not disrupt the arrangement. During the trip, he met Defense Minister Ezer Weizman, and the two sides agreed to establish a joint military co-production program: Israel would supply technical expertise, while Iran would provide financing and testing facilities. As part of the understanding, Israel committed to delivering ballistic surface-to-surface missiles with a 700-kilometer range, capable of carrying nuclear warheads—an account detailed by journalist Ronen Bergman in his book, The Secret War with Iran.