When it comes to a united front against barbaric radicals on the doorstep, Iran says, “Thanks, but no thanks.” On September 15, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei rejected America’s request for cooperation in dealing with the Islamic State threat. The United States’ request was linked to France’s invite to participate in an international coalition that will take on the terrorists. Regardless of who offered the deal, Iran’s supreme leader discarded the invite.

The coalition was an opportunity to not only deal with the Islamic State from a united front, but also further strengthen the tentative relationship that now exists between Washington and Tehran. The benefits of Iran’s involvement in the coalition seem obvious: With the Islamic State growing in strength and threatening the new Iraqi government—which is a close ally of Iran—aid in dealing with the well-armed and funded terrorists would surely have been to Iran’s benefit. It was a common cause to rally against.

But rather than choose to participate, Iran said no.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said on Iranian state television that his government refused America’s requests for cooperation against the Islamic State because it would result “in the same problems they faced in Iraq in the past 10 years.”

In simpler terms, the Ayatollah doesn’t want another 10 years of American presence in the Middle East. He prefers the extremist, hostile, violent, murderous, barbaric Islamic State campaign on his doorstep than America rebuilding its presence in the region.

If that decision seems ludicrous, consider what Iran has managed to achieve in the three years since America withdrew from Iraq. Iran has crowned itself ruler of the region.

Without America to keep tabs, Tehran has strengthened ties to, and influence over, the Iraqi government. Tehran has enhanced supply lines to Bashar Assad in Syria via uninterrupted Iraqi airspace. Iran has enjoyed promulgating its weapons and manpower throughout the region, made easier by the U.S.-free “Shia Crescent” from Afghanistan to Lebanon.

In more recent times, Iran has had the opportunity to play the savior, riding into Iraq to stem the tide of Islamic State victories. Five years ago, when the U.S. was still in Iraq, it would have been a joke to consider Iran having troops actively working within the nation. Today, it is a simple matter of fact. Iran’s Quds Force now trains the Iraqi military.

This is why the ayatollah doesn’t want to join any coalition. As bad as the situation is in Iraq, it presents Iran with a unique opportunity. From the midst of this turmoil, Iran is able to be the leader in the Middle East.

The nearest counter to Iran is Saudi Arabia, but the Saudis have remained quiet on the Islamic State, happy to see the group attempting to undermine Iranian influence in the Middle East. With no other nations interested in taking charge of regional problems, it leaves Iran as the only local power to take the lead against the terrorist group.

In that leadership role, Iran has an excuse to put boots on the ground in Iraq and tighten its grasp on power—to position itself as the king of the region.

A returning America plays havoc with Iran’s regional plans. If a coalition force comes in and takes control of the battle against the Islamic State, it will remove Iran’s excuse to have a military presence in the country. There goes a linking nation in Iran’s Shia Crescent; Iran’s kingdom would once again be divided.

Iran’s desire to avoid a U.S. return to the Middle East is based upon its regional ambition. Look at Iran’s aggressive foreign policies in the Middle East over the past three years: funding terrorists, arming extremists, supporting Assad, and propping up the Iraqi government. A coalition force back in Iraq threatens all of it.

It’s little wonder then that Iran was quick to dismiss any ideas of joining a coalition. Iran wants to rule the Middle East—and rule it alone. If you are interested in knowing more about this emerging Persian-led kingdom, read our article “Three Reasons Why Iran Is the ‘King of the South’ of Bible Prophecy.” It will explain how Iran is truly rising to rule in the Middle East.