US slams ‘suggestion of targeting’ Muslim scholar al-Sistani by Israeli TV

Alina Romanowski, the US ambassador to Iraq, praised the Muslim scholar for “propagating a more peaceful region” after criticizing the Shia spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on Israel’s Channel 14’s alleged hit list.

Washington showed its support for al-Sistani on Thursday as a result of Shia groups’ growing outcry against the Israeli broadcast.

In the international community, Grand Ayatollah Sistani is a renowned and admired religious leader. Without mentioning the Israeli broadcast, Romanowski said in a social media post that he is a critical and powerful voice in promoting a more peaceful region.

“We refute any notions of Grand Ayatollah Sistani being targeted.” She continued, “The United States continues to support efforts to bring peace to the region.”

In the international community, Grand Ayatollah Sistani is a well-known and admired religious leader. He has a significant role in promoting peace in the region. We disprove any notions of Grand Ayatollah Sistani being targeted. The United States continues to support…

Channel 14 had shown al-Sistani’s picture with red crosshairs over his head this week alongside photos of Israel’s top adversaries, including Hezbollah deputy chief Naim Qassem and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

Al-Sistani, a 94-year-old Iranian-born Iraqi scholar, is considered one of the highest spiritual authorities by Shia Muslims.

Rarely seen in public

He is based in Najaf, south of Baghdad, but he avoids public appearances. One of his most recent photos was taken in 2021 while speaking with Pope Francis.

However, he frequently makes statements that provide broad political advice to his followers on significant issues.

For example, in 2014, he issued a religious decree, urging Iraqis to mobilise and defend their country from ISIL (ISIS).

The call to arms led to the formation of volunteer paramilitary organizations, some of which were connected to Iran, that made a significant contribution to the fight against the extremist group.

A coalition called the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which they claim is a means of supporting Palestinians in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, has been conducting drone attacks against Israel.

After the Israeli military launched its bombing campaign against Lebanon late in September, al-Sistani’s office condemned what it called Israel’s “brutal aggression” and “savage methods”.

Additionally, it called for “every possible effort to stop this ongoing barbaric aggression and shield the Lebanese people from its devastation.”

On Wednesday, the Iraqi government criticised the Israeli channel’s broadcast on al-Sistani, describing it as a “heinous violation” and warning that it could “enlarge the circle of danger and violence” in the region.