In a striking display of military might, the Iranian Revolutionary Guards’ Basij unit conducted a large-scale exercise in West Azerbaijan province at the end of 2019. Dubbed “Al Beit al-Maqdes,” this exercise involved around 15,000 soldiers, primarily young individuals from the capital district of Urmia and its surroundings. The exercise’s name itself is a clear indication of Iran’s intentions towards Jerusalem.
The Safawi’s Lion Awakens
The Safawi Empire, which ruled for over two centuries, firmly established Shia Islam in the region now known as modern Iran and its adjacent areas. This empire’s legacy deeply influences Iran’s current ideology. A significant shift in Iran’s religious policy under Khomeini placed Jerusalem at the forefront of Shia Islam. According to a fatwa by Khomeini, every Muslim is obligated to participate in the liberation of Jerusalem. For the Sunni world, this is a daunting prospect, one that overshadows even Israeli governance of the Holy Mount. The Persians, with strategic cunning, use Palestinians as both a shield and a façade for their grand ambitions.
Preparation for Conquest
The declared purpose of the “Al Beit al-Maqdes” exercise was to ready the volunteer forces for future actions, commemorating the 40th anniversary of Iran’s 1979 revolution. Prior to any direct action towards Jerusalem, Iran is strategically setting up a “Ring of Fire” around Israel. This plan involves establishing multi-front threats through alliances with groups in Lebanon (Hezbollah), the Yarmouch Basin (Islamic State), southern Syria (Revolutionary Guards), and Gaza (Hamas). The aim is a joint Shiite-Sunni effort to challenge Israel’s stability and, ideally, to overrun its borders.
Shiite Iran’s Strategy in Jerusalem
The next step, following a potential combined assault on Israel, would be the conversion of Al-Qatsa Mosque into a Shia place of worship. For training purposes, a detailed replica of the Al-Qatsa Mosque was constructed atop a mountain. This move aligns with Khomeini’s belief in overwhelming adversaries through sheer numbers. The anticipated strategy involves a surge of mobilized Muslims encroaching on Israel from multiple directions, culminating in the hoisting of the Iranian flag over the mosque.
The Basij volunteer force, comprising about 11,000 regular members and an additional 11.2 million volunteers, is central to this strategy. Quietly yet steadily, Iran’s plans are unfolding, with the global community largely remaining silent on these developments.
