Isa, al-Mahdi, and Uranium

Let's hope it's only hype.

Pajamasmedia has coverage of doomsday, today August 22nd - a day on which, according to some versions of Muslim history (notably the Shi'a, who rule Iran), the 12th Imam, Muhammad al-Mahdi, is supposed to reappear and bring justice to the world. This day notably coincides with the deadline for Iran to respond to the United Nations demand that it cease uranium enrichment. According to CNN/Reuters:

"I can confirm, there will be a meeting at 4 p.m. for the EU3 plus Russia, China and the Swiss representative for the USA," one of the diplomats told Reuters, after the news was first broadcast by an Iranian television station.

The response will be handed over at Iran's Supreme National Security Council, which handles the nuclear file, they said.

Iranian officials have said it would be a written reply and have said the reply will be "multi-dimensional," Reuters reported.

Hype bolding mine.

This would certainly be fine and significant day for Tehran to test a nuclear weapon - giving a final, definitive answer to those folks who espouse endless rounds of talky diplomacy and pleading. And a fringe benefit of such a test (one with more damaging short-term implications) would be to provide defensive strategic cover to every radical group from Hezbollah to the hills of Pakistan.

The Wikipedia link above is very informative. It's the confluence of religious lore and present-day geopolitics that appears so alarming. And, an interesting footnote, some Shi'a believe that the return of al-Mahdi will coincide with the reappearance of the prophet Isa - the Muslim name for Jesus.

Tags: Iran, Nuclear Weapons, Apocalypse