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===Iran===

===Iran===

Because of its Shi'ite character, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]] is referred to as {{wpl|Rafida}}, or ''rejectionist'' of the [[orthodox]] Salafi traditions handed down thru {{wpl|Ibn Taymiyyah}}, {{wpl|Muhammad ibn Abd al-Wahhab|Abd al-Wahhab}}, and others.  <ref>Sunnis speak of the "Prophet and his companions" as the source of divine inspiration, whereas the Shi'a reject the companions (the first 3 "Rightly-Guided Caliphs") and follow the Prophet's bloodline (the "First Imam"). </ref>

Because of its Shi'ite character, the [[Islamic Republic of Iran]] is referred to as ''Rafida'', or ''rejectionist'' of the [[orthodox]] Salafi traditions handed down thru Ibn Taymiyyah, Abd al-Wahhab, and others.  <ref>Sunnis speak of the "Prophet and his companions" as the source of divine inspiration, whereas the Shi'a reject the companions (the first 3 "Rightly-Guided Caliphs") and follow the Prophet's bloodline (the "First Imam"). </ref>

Iran has been ruled under the Shi'a interpretation of ''Shariah'' since 1979. Within the U.N framework of the "New World Order", as some Islamists refer to it, Iran pursues its foreign policy objectives under the ''kufr'' {{wpl|Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations}} as it covertly promotes [[terrorism]]. Western governments have labeled Iran as the leading state sponsor of terrorism.<ref>[http://www.cfr.org/iran/state-sponsors-iran/p9362 State Sponsors: Iran], Greg Bruno, Council on Foreign Relations, Updated: October 13, 2011. cfr.org </ref>

Iran has been ruled under the Shi'a interpretation of ''Shariah'' since 1979. Within the U.N framework of the "New World Order", as some Islamists refer to it, Iran pursues its foreign policy objectives under the ''kufr'' Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as it covertly promotes [[terrorism]]. Western governments have labeled Iran as the leading state sponsor of terrorism.<ref>[http://www.cfr.org/iran/state-sponsors-iran/p9362 State Sponsors: Iran], Greg Bruno, Council on Foreign Relations, Updated: October 13, 2011. cfr.org </ref>

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 {{wpl|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 {{wpl|Ruhollah Khomeini|Ayatollah Khomeini}} suggested removal of the {{wpl|Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques|House of Saud as overseers of the ''hajj''}} because of their reliance on Western powers and the {{wpl|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 {{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>

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.

As of Spring 2015, Iran was moving on two of the three strategic choke points for control of the flow of Middle Eastern crude oil and the global economy -- the Straits of Hormuz and the Port of Aden. In February, Iran destroyed a mockup U.S. Supercarrier in the Straits of Hormuz during a live-fire ballistic missile test<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrgLFcIMYDk#t=25 </ref>, and in March, Iran's Houthi proxy force toppled the [[Yemen]] government which controlled Aden.  Meanwhile the third strategic choke point -- Suez, was claimed by the Islamic State as part of its Sinai Province which forms a common border with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian nuke deal in late 2015 represented a softening of attitudes by Western powers toward Iran's bid for hegemony as the dominate regional power.  

As of Spring 2015, Iran was moving on two of the three strategic choke points for control of the flow of Middle Eastern crude oil and the global economy -- the Straits of Hormuz and the Port of Aden. In February, Iran destroyed a mockup U.S. Supercarrier in the Straits of Hormuz during a live-fire ballistic missile test<ref>https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZrgLFcIMYDk#t=25 </ref>, and in March, Iran's Houthi proxy force toppled the [[Yemen]] government which controlled Aden.  Meanwhile, the third strategic chokepoint -- Suez, was claimed by the Islamic State as part of its Sinai Province which forms a common border with Egypt and Saudi Arabia. The Iranian nuke deal in late 2015 represented a softening of attitudes by Western powers toward Iran's bid for hegemony as the dominant regional power.  

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 Arsbia 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.

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