Iraq's top Shiite cleric warns against targeting Iranian supreme leader

BAGHDAD, June 19 (Xinhua) -- Iraq's top Shiite cleric Ali al-Sistani warned Thursday that any threat targeting Iran's supreme religious and political leadership would portend dire consequences for the region.

In a statement by his office, al-Sistani condemned Israel's continued "military aggression" against Iran and the threat targeting its supreme religious and political leadership.

He warned that taking such a "criminal step" would have dire consequences for the entire region and may lead to complete destabilization and widespread chaos, which would worsen the suffering of the people and harm the interests of all.

The statement also urged the international community to exert every effort to stop this unjust war and find a peaceful and just solution to the Iranian nuclear issue in accordance with the rules of international law.

The same day, Akram al-Kaabi, head of the Iraqi armed group al-Nujaba Movement, warned in a statement to target U.S. interests if America harms Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Earlier on Sunday, the Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah also vowed to attack U.S. interests in the region if Washington intervenes in the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict. ■