Unlike Sunnis who emphasize sectarian differences with minority Shiites, the Iranian regime emphasizes the Israeli bogeyman because they estimate this gains them Arab [http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=street+cred street cred] and diverts attention from the Shia rise to power. They ultimately believe they have earned the right to speak on behalf of the whole Muslim world.<ref>https://www.carnegiecouncil.org/studio/multimedia/20061018/5400.html/_res/id=sa_File1/The_Shia_Revival.pdf </ref>
==Moral legislation in Iran==
[[Image:Maleki An Achaemenian Soldier.jpg|right|250px|thumb|An Achaemenian Soldier by Iman Maleki.]]
[[Homosexuality|Homosexuals]] get the death penalty in Iran.
<ref>[https://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,297982,00.html Iran Does Far Worse Than Ignore Gays, Critics Say] Fox News, September 25, 2007</ref> However, in a speech at Columbia University, the president of Iran stated that homosexuality does not exist in his nation.
In Iran, production and consumption of alcohol by Muslims is prohibited. However, Iranian law makes an exception for minority groups, such as the Christian [[Armenia]]ns, who are allowed to produce and consume [[wine]] and distilled spirits. Naturally, these communities produce far more alcohol than they consume, "illegally" selling it to Muslims who drink in contradiction of [[Sharia]] law.
Prostitution is also prohibited in Iran, but there are allegations that نكاح المتعة (temporary marriage, legal in [[Usuli]] [[Shia]] jurisprudence) is exploited to solemnize marriages of such short duration (hours or days) that the activities thus permitted more resemble dating (if money is not exchanged) or prostitution (if a fee is charged for the marriage).
==Further reading==