Iran threatens 'direct action' on ISIS in case of attack to Baghdad or Shiite holy shrines

Iran has signaled that it may take “direct action” if Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, or ISIS, fighters attack either Baghdad or Shiite holy shrines in Iraq.
“Baghdad, the holy shrines and the shrines of Shiite imams are surely all among the Islamic Republic’s red lines,” said Brig. Gen. Mohammad Baqeri, who heads joint affairs of the Iranian Armed Forces. “The Islamic Republic will take direct action [if they are attacked].”
Baqeri didn’t spell out exactly what he meant by “direct action,” which might imply the introduction of combat forces, a possibility he didn’t rule out.
He further said Iran would provide Iraq the needed “support and provide them with the necessary training to confront any danger.”
Baqeri’s comments follows a similar warning made a few months ago by Iranian President Hassan Rouhani. The president said Iran would resort to “any possible means” to protect the holy sites in Iraq – including those in Karbala and Najaf, the heart of Shiite Islamic teaching – and the country’s capital from attack.
Iran is already providing pilots to fly fighter aircraft in defense of Iraqi ground troops. In addition, the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps has placed advisers with Iraqi combat units and is providing equipment.
“When you start seeing Iranian aircraft, (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) forces on the ground, Iranian advisers training the Iraqi military, it could easily devolve into a regional conflagration,” Smyth said. “It’s not like Riyadh wants to back ISIS, but what are they going to do when they see a mobilization like this, and no other outside force to quell it?”
With the growing prospect that Iran may take action in Iraq to stop ISIS, Smyth believes it could leave the United States with little choice but to intervene militarily in Iraq as well, adding that the U.S. cannot allow Iran to take the lead in halting ISIS.
Last June, Shiite Muslims organizations in India had announced that they have recruited some 30,000 Shiite fighters to defend Shiite holy sites in Iraq.
There are an estimated 50 million Shiite Muslims in India with close ties with those in Iran and Iraq.
Iran’s renewed threats of intervention come as the Islamic State, or ISIS, is slowly closing in on Baghdad and already has destroyed a number of Shiite shrines, Christian sites and Muslim holy places.