Iraqi PM to US envoy: Israeli insult to Ayatollah Sistani ‘an affront’ to Muslims

Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani has strongly condemned an Israeli TV station's inclusion of a picture of Grand Ayatollah Ali Al-Sistani as part of an Israeli kill list.

Sudani told US Ambassador to Baghdad Alina Romanowski and Congressman Seth Moulton, who sits on the US House Armed Services Committee, during a meeting in Baghdad that disrespecting religious figures is “an affront” to the feelings of Muslims worldwide.

"During the meeting, Prime Minister al-Sudani emphasized that the Zionist entity has escalated its transgressions by disrespecting revered figures,” his office said in an X post after the meeting on Thursday. 

Sudani also condemned the targeting of civilians and the destruction of infrastructure in Lebanon and Gaza, reiterating the need for the international community and UN agencies to intervene in the conflict “to stop the war that threatens regional and global security and stability.”

In a post on X, the US ambassador sought to do damage control, calling Ayatollah Sistani “a renowned and respected religious leader in the international community.”

“We reject any suggestion of targeting Grand Ayatollah Sistani,” the post added, noting the importance of the cleric’s influence.

Israeli Channel 14, known for its right-wing alignment and close association with prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, aired the controversial image as part of its coverage of resistance leaders earlier this week, with crosshairs on their heads, implying that they are potential targets. 

While the channel does not represent official Israeli policy, its broadcast has been seen as a serious affront by Iraq, where Ayatollah al-Sistani is revered as the most influential religious leader.

Sheikh Khaled al-Mulla, the head of Iraq's Islamic Scholars Association, condemned the threats made against Ayatollah al-Sistani and other religious figures. 

“These actions confirm that Israel is waging a religious war against Muslims,” he stated.

Spokesman for the Iraqi Government Basem al-Awadi also issued a firm statement denouncing the broadcast.

“After the Zionist entity committed acts of genocide and blatant crimes against humanity in Gaza and Lebanon, their racist media is now launching a smear campaign against the supreme religious authority.”

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Awadi stressed that any attack on Ayatollah al-Sistani would be met with a strong response from resistance factions.

“The government of Iraq rejects any harm to the status of our religious authority, which is respected by the people of Iraq, the Arab and Islamic world, and the international community. Such actions threaten global peace and security,” he warned.

Awadi also called on the United Nations and international organizations to denounce the broadcast and take measures to prevent further incitement. 

“Iraq has worked tirelessly to halt the violence, but Israel's actions, coupled with international inaction, have only worsened the situation,” he noted.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk