Why it matters:
Ayatollah Sistani’s influence extends beyond Iraq, and his engagement signals potential diplomatic or moral pressure against Israel’s military actions in the region.
The big picture:
Ayatollah Sistani had previously issued a statement condemning the pager explosion, which killed and injured thousands of people in Lebanon, and described it as a "barbaric aggression".
In a footag released by the office of Ayatollah Sistani, "Hussein Zein al-Din", a Lebanese child victim of the pager explosion, is seen receiving a ring as a gift from the top Shia cleric.
Go deeper:
The explosion of wireless telecommunications devices over two consecutive days in Lebanon, in September 2024, demonstrated a new form of crime against humanity committed by the inhumane Zionist regime. Israel manipulated civile devices to abuse it for military purposes. At least 39 people were martyred and about 3,500 were injred.
Lebanon files official complaint at UN over Israel’s pager blasts: Minister
Hossein Amiri
