The United States ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, has strongly condemned the inclusion of Shia spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on a perceived hit list featured by Israel’s Channel 14, commending the Muslim scholar for his efforts in “promoting a more peaceful region.”
On Thursday, Washington voiced its support for al-Sistani amid mounting outrage in the Middle East, particularly from Shia groups, in response to the Israeli broadcast.
“Grand Ayatollah Sistani is a highly respected religious leader globally and plays a key role in advocating for peace in the region,” Romanowski stated in a social media post, without directly referencing the Israeli report. She added, “We reject any notion of targeting Grand Ayatollah Sistani. The United States continues to back efforts to foster peace in the region.”
Earlier this week, Channel 14 aired an image of al-Sistani with red crosshairs over his head, alongside pictures of Israel’s adversaries, such as Hezbollah’s deputy chief Naim Qassem and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.
Al-Sistani, a 94-year-old Iraqi scholar of Iranian origin, is regarded as one of the most significant spiritual figures among Shia Muslims. Based in Najaf, Iraq, he seldom appears in public, with one of his last known appearances being a 2021 meeting with Pope Francis. Despite his low public profile, al-Sistani frequently issues statements offering political guidance to his followers on important matters.
