Rule the world ? with 93 million people ? a good portion who have a dislike for those in charge ?
The Iranians must be counting on the backing of a bazillion Chinese.
No, they are counting on the Mahdi - the 12th Imam; he is currently resting at the bottom of a well - I forget where - where people and children drop treats to sustain him. The 'Twelvers' {do a search} read the Book of Revelation very much differently than Christians. The Mahdi will sweep the world with Islamic law and restore perfect peace; however, massive bloodshed will have to be spilled in the process.
The bloodshed being shed now in this conflict is the proof that the Mahdi is due and will finally set everything straight. The more that the Iranians die, the stronger the Mahdi is becoming, getting ready to fulfill his purpose.
In short: Iran is winning the present 'war'! They have even insisted that Prez Trump surrender. They do NOT see reality the same way that we westerners do. Eventually Trump is probably going to have to deal with them in their own 'reality'.