Influential Iraqi religious scholar issues a warning

Influential Iraqi Shiite scholar Ayatollah Sayyid Ali Sistani issued a stern warning against attacks on Iran's leadership.

As reported by TUT.AZ with reference to "The Times of Israel," the spiritual leader particularly emphasized the serious danger that the escalation of the Iran-Israel conflict could plunge the entire Middle East region into full-scale chaos.

"We strongly warn against any threats directed at high-ranking religious and political leaders of Iran. Taking such a criminal step would have extremely severe consequences for the situation throughout the region;

We call on international actors and countries of the world, especially Islamic states, to do everything possible to end this unjust war," the official statement from the authoritative Iraqi scholar says.