1. Iran and Israel have a history of cooperation

Before Iran’s 1979 revolution, Israel sent agricultural engineers to train Iranians in irrigation systems, while Iran provided Israel with about 70 percent of its energy [oil] needs. The two countries also shared intelligence and defense information.

“Israel also secretly sold Iran weapons that the US wouldn’t, said Trita Parsi, author of Treacherous Alliance: The Secret Dealings of Israel, Iran and the U.S. Parsi added that, “[Israel] lobbied Washington to sell arms to Iran and ignore Iranian rhetoric on Israel” as late as 1989. This later became known as the Iran-Contra Affair.

3. Iran's reputation is based on its rhetoric, but not on its deeds

Israel’s focus on Iran as its enemy is based more on Iran’s past rhetoric than its nuclear capabilities, argues Rabbi Dr. Marc Gopin, head of George Mason University’s Center for World Religions, Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution.

“Israel calls Iran the biggest threat to Israel and the West but does not see China or Pakistan as threats, despite each being a major world power with nuclear arms, and Pakistan being highly unstable and Islamic,” Gopin said.

“Iran never created an offensive war, but it is [Iran's] rhetoric against Israel, not the development of nuclear power, that brought the West against them—the [Rouhani] cabinet knows that and is trying to reverse course. Gopin added, “If Netanyahu refuses every gesture and in fact makes fun of them, then [Iran] is putting its country in better light in the court of public opinion...language matters in war and peace.”