Changes

Iran's foreign policy and Shi'a brand of Islam promotes Muslim unity<ref>[http://imamalinet.net/old/en/es/esa/esal/esall/esall.htm Imams call People to Islamic Unity], Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar. imamalinet.net </ref> whereas Sunni Salafi-jihadists consider Shi'ism not as a dissident sect, but rather as treasonous to the people of God and worthy of the death penalty (''takfir'').

Iran's foreign policy and Shi'a brand of Islam promotes Muslim unity<ref>[http://imamalinet.net/old/en/es/esa/esal/esall/esall.htm Imams call People to Islamic Unity], Muhammad Rida al-Muzaffar. imamalinet.net </ref> whereas Sunni Salafi-jihadists consider Shi'ism not as a dissident sect, but rather as treasonous to the people of God and worthy of the death penalty (''takfir'').

Since the overthrow of its [[monarchy]] in 1979, Iran has been in a covert war with the neighboring monarchy of the House of Saud.<ref>[http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/iran-and-gulf-states Iran and the Gulf States], usip.org </ref> After the {{wpl|1987 Meccan incident|1987 Meccan Massacre}} of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims, the [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Ayatollah Khomeini]] suggested removal of the House of Saud as overseers of the ''hajj'' because of their reliance on Western powers and the Great Satan for security.<ref>Political Islam, Edited by Fredric Volpi, Routledge, [https://wiki.zirve.edu.tr/sandbox/groups/economicsandadministrativesciences/wiki/b7907/attachments/b87f0/week6required1.pdf?sessionID=be1325d37a7c5f7b99f39de6da779933c272d74d p. 5 pdf].</ref>

Since the overthrow of its [[monarchy]] in 1979, Iran has been in a covert war with the neighboring monarchy of the House of Saud.<ref>[http://iranprimer.usip.org/resource/iran-and-gulf-states Iran and the Gulf States], usip.org </ref> After the 1987 Meccan Massacre of hundreds of Iranian pilgrims, the [[Ruhollah Khomeini|Ayatollah Khomeini]] suggested removal of the House of Saud as overseers of the ''hajj'' because of their reliance on Western powers and the Great Satan for security.<ref>Political Islam, Edited by Fredric Volpi, Routledge, [https://wiki.zirve.edu.tr/sandbox/groups/economicsandadministrativesciences/wiki/b7907/attachments/b87f0/week6required1.pdf?sessionID=be1325d37a7c5f7b99f39de6da779933c272d74d p. 5 pdf].</ref>

The Shi'a of Iraq and Syria who look to the Islamic Republic have been victims of a  [[genocide|genocidal]] campaign unleashed by the Islamic State since mid 2014. Iran actively supported the [[Bashar al-Assad|Assad]] regime of Syria against an insurgency by the Sunni Salafi-jihadists of al Nusra (al Qaeda), the Islamic State, and the so-called "Syrian opposition" of "moderate rebels".  Iran has forged an alliance of convenience with the ''kufr'' regime of Russia<ref>http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/01/20/russia-signs-military-cooperation-deal-with-iran/22042235/</ref>, proving they are in bed with global infidels and are traitors to Islam.

The Shi'a of Iraq and Syria who look to the Islamic Republic have been victims of a  [[genocide|genocidal]] campaign unleashed by the Islamic State since mid 2014. Iran actively supported the [[Bashar al-Assad|Assad]] regime of Syria against an insurgency by the Sunni Salafi-jihadists of al Nusra (al Qaeda), the Islamic State, and the so-called "Syrian opposition" of "moderate rebels".  Iran has forged an alliance of convenience with the ''kufr'' regime of Russia<ref>http://www.defensenews.com/story/defense/2015/01/20/russia-signs-military-cooperation-deal-with-iran/22042235/</ref>, proving they are in bed with global infidels and are traitors to Islam.

{{Anchor|Axis of Resistance}}

{{Anchor|Axis of Resistance}}

Iran has formulated what is known as the '''Axis of Resistance''' - resistance against the encroachment of [[Western civilization]], consisting of Iran, the Alawite regime, and Lebanese Hezbollah. Use of the term 'resistance against the West is common to both Shia and Sunni, usually directed against Israel or American oil drilling technicians in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Disputes are over who will lead the Resistance. Sunnis generally refer to the Shia resistance movement as the Rejectionist Axis.

Iran has formulated what is known as the '''Axis of Resistance''' - resistance against the encroachment of [[Western civilization]], consisting of Iran, the [[Alawite]] regime, and Lebanese [[Hezbollah]]. Use of the term 'resistance against the West is common to both Shia and Sunni, usually directed against Israel or American oil drilling technicians in Saudi Arabia and the Gulf States. Disputes are over who will lead the Resistance. Sunnis generally refer to the Shia resistance movement as the Rejectionist Axis.

====Proxies====

====Proxies====

Unlike the Islamic State, the Islamic Republic of Iran has shown a willingness to organize, train, and fund political movements and armed groups outside of their sectarian beliefs so long as the group has some form of Islamic heritage. <ref>[http://www.irannewsupdate.com/news/terrorism/2172-al-qaeda-documents-taliban-visit-indicate-iranian-support-for-sunni-terrorists.html AL Qaeda Documents, Taliban Visit Indicate Iranian Support For Sunni Terrorists], INU Staff, 22 May 2015. irannewsupdate.com </ref> <ref>[http://www.thetower.org/0250oc-state-dept-iran-funding-both-sides-in-sunni-shiite-terror-wars/ State Dept: Iran Funding Both Sides in Sunni-Shiite Terror Wars], Omri Ceren, 05.02.14.  thetower.org .  A prime example of the misunderstanding and misreporting of the Obama State Department; nowhere is Iran supporting Sunni groups murdering Shi'a as this headline implies. Iran backs Sunni groups who serve Iran's foreign policy interests. Sunni groups who attack Isreali, U.S. or other Sunni groups who are enemies of Iran and Shi'ism have received assistance. </ref> <ref>[http://m.voanews.com/a/iran_is_leading_state_sponsor_of_terrorism_again/1452064.html US: Iran Remains Leading State Sponsor of Terrorism], 31 July 2012. voanews.com </ref> The Iranian {{wpl|Quds Force|Quds Force (Jerusalem Force)}}<ref>As the name implies, the Jerusalem Force was organized to retake Jerusalem from the Zionists.</ref> led by General [[Qassem Sulemeini]] is the organization tasked with Iran's external covert, paramilitary, terrorist and intelligence functions. Quds Force also carries out some [[diplomacy|diplomatic]] functions.<ref>http://citizenship.typepad.com/isebrandcom/2013/10/perhaps-the-most-important-military-leader-opposing-the-us-who-youve-never-heard-of.html </ref>

Unlike the Islamic State, the Islamic Republic of Iran has shown a willingness to organize, train, and fund political movements and armed groups outside of their sectarian beliefs so long as the group has some form of Islamic heritage. <ref>[http://www.irannewsupdate.com/news/terrorism/2172-al-qaeda-documents-taliban-visit-indicate-iranian-support-for-sunni-terrorists.html AL Qaeda Documents, Taliban Visit Indicate Iranian Support For Sunni Terrorists], INU Staff, 22 May 2015. irannewsupdate.com </ref> <ref>[http://www.thetower.org/0250oc-state-dept-iran-funding-both-sides-in-sunni-shiite-terror-wars/ State Dept: Iran Funding Both Sides in Sunni-Shiite Terror Wars], Omri Ceren, 05.02.14.  thetower.org .  A prime example of the misunderstanding and misreporting of the Obama State Department; nowhere is Iran supporting Sunni groups murdering Shi'a as this headline implies. Iran backs Sunni groups who serve Iran's foreign policy interests. Sunni groups who attack Isreali, U.S. or other Sunni groups who are enemies of Iran and Shi'ism have received assistance. </ref> <ref>[http://m.voanews.com/a/iran_is_leading_state_sponsor_of_terrorism_again/1452064.html US: Iran Remains Leading State Sponsor of Terrorism], 31 July 2012. voanews.com </ref> The Iranian [[Quds Force]] (Jerusalem Force)}}<ref>As the name implies, the Jerusalem Force was organized to retake Jerusalem from the Zionists.</ref> led by General [[Qassem Sulemeini]] is the organization tasked with Iran's external covert, paramilitary, terrorist and intelligence functions. Quds Force also carries out some [[diplomacy|diplomatic]] functions.<ref>http://citizenship.typepad.com/isebrandcom/2013/10/perhaps-the-most-important-military-leader-opposing-the-us-who-youve-never-heard-of.html </ref>

[[File:Img 0616.jpg|thumb|395px|Extent of influence of a proposed Iranian Superpower. (In Yellow)]]

[[File:Img 0616.jpg|thumb|395px|Extent of influence of a proposed Iranian Superpower. (In Yellow)]]

====Shi'a dominated groups====

====Shi'a dominated groups====

*{{wpl|Alawite}} regime of Syria

*Alawite regime of Syria

*[[Iraq|Iraqi Baghdad regime]] ({{wpl|Islamic Dawa Party}})

*[[Iraq|Iraqi Baghdad regime]] (Islamic Dawa Party)

*Badr Forces Militia [Iraq]

*Badr Forces Militia [Iraq]

*{{wpl|Badr Organization|Badr Organization Militia}} [Iraq]

*Badr Organization Militia [Iraq]

*[[Hezbollah|Lebanese Hezbollah]]

*[[Hezbollah|Lebanese Hezbollah]]

*{{wpl|Hezbollah Al-Hejaz}} [Saudi Arabia]

*Hezbollah Al-Hejaz [Saudi Arabia]

*{{wpl|Houthis}} [Yemen]

*Houthis [Yemen]

*Liwa Assad Allah al-Ghalib [Syria]

*Liwa Assad Allah al-Ghalib [Syria]

*{{wpl|Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan|Mahdi Army of Mohammad in Pakistan}}

*[[Sipah-e-Muhammad Pakistan|Mahdi Army of Mohammad in Pakistan]]

====Iraqi Islamic Resistance====

====Iraqi Islamic Resistance====

In the case of Iraq, Jonathan Spyer and Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi report "There are, at the very least, dozens of Shi'a militias in Iraq....They receive training and weapons from the {{wpl|IRGC}}, and are dedicated to implementing Iran’s ideological system of governance in Iraq...Iran, however, does not want any of these groups to become powerful enough to break off and follow its own agenda. To prevent this, it maintains multiple proxy militias competing against each other." <ref>[http://www.thetower.org/article/how-iraq-became-a-wholly-owned-subsidiary-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran/ How Iraq Became a Proxy of the Islamic Republic of Iran], Jonathan Spyer and Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, ''The Tower'', December 2014.</ref> There are many more than cited on this list,<ref>http://www.frbiu.com/painful-facts-15811602157515741602-16051572160416051577.html </ref><ref>https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PF138Appendices/PF138_Appendix_3.pdf </ref>

In the case of Iraq, Jonathan Spyer and Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi report "There are, at the very least, dozens of Shi'a militias in Iraq....They receive training and weapons from the [[IRGC]], and are dedicated to implementing Iran’s ideological system of governance in Iraq...Iran, however, does not want any of these groups to become powerful enough to break off and follow its own agenda. To prevent this, it maintains multiple proxy militias competing against each other." <ref>[http://www.thetower.org/article/how-iraq-became-a-wholly-owned-subsidiary-of-the-islamic-republic-of-iran/ How Iraq Became a Proxy of the Islamic Republic of Iran], Jonathan Spyer and Aymenn Jawad Al-Tamimi, ''The Tower'', December 2014.</ref> There are many more than cited on this list,<ref>http://www.frbiu.com/painful-facts-15811602157515741602-16051572160416051577.html </ref><ref>https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/uploads/Documents/pubs/PF138Appendices/PF138_Appendix_3.pdf </ref>

*Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), formerly the Mahdi Army (Jaysh al-Mahdi or JAM)

*Saraya al-Salam (Peace Brigades), formerly the Mahdi Army (Jaysh al-Mahdi or JAM)