Iran's main goal: Destroy the world as we know it, impose Shia Islam globally - opinion

• Published date: 24 April 2024
• Author: NEVILLE TELLER
• Publication title: Jerusalem Post, The: Web Edition Articles (Israel)

Its anti-Israel policy was embedded in the broad strategy known originally as the Shia Crescent, and later – when Sunni Hamas was embraced as an effective ally – as the Axis of Resistance, and now dubbed the Ring of Fire. The objective has been to acquire as much power and influence as possible across the Middle East in pursuit of its aim to become dominant, both politically and spiritually, in the region

Its purpose is not to achieve power for power's sake. Its intention was expressed by the regime's original Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini. He affirmed repeatedly that the foundation stone of his philosophy, the very purpose of his revolution, was to destroy Western-style democracy and its way of life, and to impose Shia Islam on the whole world. He identified the United States and Israel as his prime targets but included what was then the USSR.

"We wish to cause the corrupt roots of Zionism, capitalism and communism to wither throughout the world," said Khomeini. "We wish, as does God almighty, to destroy the systems based on these three foundations, and to promote the Islamic order of the Prophet." By this he meant his strict Shia interpretation of Islam, for elsewhere he had declared that the holy cities of Mecca and Medina, situated in the heart of Sunni Saudi Arabia, were in the hands of "a band of heretics."

Iran's goal for Shia world domination

OVER THE past 45 years the regime has gone about its mission by funding, arming and supporting organizations, groups, and militias prepared to take military action against Iran's primary enemy, Israel. On April 14 Iran's Supreme Leader decided that the moment had arrived to change tack. Intense analysis and calculation must have gone into the determination to break the principle that has guided Iran's foreign policy strategy for 45 years and, for the very first time, to launch a direct attack on Israel.

"Israel has never been weaker," the figuring must have gone. "It is mired in its war in Gaza. It hasn't succeeded in eliminating Hamas or recovering its remaining hostages. It's being condemned on all sides for vast numbers of civilian deaths. It is the subject of an investigation by the International Court of Justice on a charge of plausible genocide.

"Imagine the effect on the Arab world, and indeed on the West, of Israel succumbing to a direct Iranian attack. Think of bombs falling on Israeli cities. Think of Israelis slaughtered and injured. Israel will be humbled, the Abraham Accords will...