A United States ambassador has “strongly criticised” an Israeli Channel 14 broadcast that appeared to place Shia spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani on a hit list.

Alina Romanowski, the US ambassador to Iraq, praised al-Sistani for his efforts in fostering peace in the region and expressed solidarity with him amidst rising anger from Shia groups across the Middle East.

In a social media statement, Romanowski emphasized al-Sistani’s significance as a respected religious figure and an influential advocate for peace.

While she did not directly reference the Israeli broadcast, she “firmly rejected” any notion of targeting the Ayatollah. “The United States remains committed to supporting initiatives aimed at bringing about stability and peace in the region,” she stated.

This week, Israeli Channel 14 aired an image of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani with red crosshairs superimposed over his head, alongside photos of prominent adversaries of Israel, such as Hezbollah’s deputy chief Naim Qassem and Hamas leader Yahya Sinwar.

At 94 years old, al-Sistani, an Iranian-born Iraqi scholar, is regarded as one of the foremost spiritual authorities among Shia Muslims.

Although he resides in Najaf, south of Baghdad, he tends to avoid public appearances. One of his most recent public engagements was a meeting with Pope Francis in 2021.

Despite his limited public presence, al-Sistani frequently issues statements providing political guidance to his followers during significant events.

Notably, in 2014, he called upon Iraqis to mobilize against ISIL), a decree that played a crucial role in the formation of volunteer paramilitary groups, some of which have ties to Iran, significantly aiding the fight against the extremist organisation.