Iran's leader is preparing for the 'Mahdi' who will control the world

The world is now in its "last days," reports an official Web site of the Iranian government. It claims that the Islamic messiah known as the "Twelfth Imam" or the "Mahdi" may come to earth in 2007 and could be revealed to the world as early as the spring equinox in Mecca, and then Medina. The mahdi will conquer all of Arabia, Syria, Iraq, destroy Israel and then set up a "global government" based in Iraq, says the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB) Web site. Such Islamic eschatology (end times theology) is driving the Iranian regime and helps explain why Iran has no interest in helping the United States and European Union create peace in Iraq or the region, much less in ending its bid for nuclear weapons, the Iraq Study Group Report notwithstanding. Anticipation of the imminent arrival or "illumination" of the Islamic messiah has been steadily intensifying inside Iran since Mahmoud Ahmadinejad emerged as president of the country in June of 2005. An Iranian television series called "The World Towards Illumination" has been running since last November to help answer the many questions Iranians have about the end of the world as we know it. The series explains the signs of the last days and what to expect when the Islamic messiah arrives. The program also says that Jesus is coming back to earth soon as a Shiite Muslim leader, and it denounces "born-again Christians" for supporting "the illegal Zionist state of Israel." After [the Twelfth Imam’s] uprising from Mecca, all of Arabia will submit to him and then other parts of the world as he marches upon Iraq and establishes his seat of global government in the city of Kufa. Then the Imam will send 10,000 of his forces to the east and west to uproot the oppressors. At this time, God will facilitate things for him and lands will come under his control one after the other. ... He will appear as a handsome young man, clad in neat clothes and exuding the fragrance of paradise. His face will glow with love and kindness for the human beings. ... He has a radiant forehead, black piercing eyes and a broad chest. He very much resembles his ancestor Prophet Mohammad. Heavenly light and justice accompany him. He will overcome enemies and oppressors with the help of God, and as per the promise of the Almighty the Mahdi will eradicate all corruption and injustice from the face of the earth and establish the global government of peace, justice and equity.