Besides launching rockets at Israel after Israel attacked its embassy in Damascus, Iran has shown remarkable restraint when it comes to intervening in the war on Gaza. Ali Ansari argues that apart from some notable - and extreme - exceptions, Iran has a long history of support for the state of Israel and has historically hosted a large community of Jews. 

Ali Ansari, Professor of Iranian History at the University of St. Andrews. He is the author of ‘Modern Iran Since 1797: Reform and Revolution.’