Muqtada Al-Sadr warns against Iraqi involvement in Iran-Israel conflict

BAGHDAD — Influential Shia cleric Muqtada Al-Sadr on Friday warned against Iraq becoming entangled in the ongoing conflict between Iran and Israel, urging restraint and diplomatic action to prevent escalation.

In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, Al-Sadr said the flames of war “have intensified,” adding, “Only God knows its outcome.” He blamed what he called “the Zionist entity” for provoking the confrontation with “direct American support” and cautioned that Iran would not be the only country at risk if the conflict continued.

Al-Sadr called on Iraqis to “silence the indecent individual voices” and instead “listen to the voice of wisdom and the voices of the revered scholars.” He stressed the importance of keeping “the land of the Infallibles and their holy sites in Iraq” out of the confrontation.

He also condemned reported use of Iraqi airspace by Israeli forces and called on the Iraqi government—pointedly adding “if it exists,”—to take diplomatic measures in accordance with international law to prevent further violations.

Al-Sadr concluded by urging Iraqis not to be swayed by “irresponsible statements” intended to incite panic, arguing such rhetoric serves the interests of “corrupt politicians” seeking electoral gain in what he described as “their feeble elections.”

Muqtada Al-Sadr’s full statement:

In His Name, the Most High

The war has begun, its wheels are turning, and its blaze has intensified… Only God knows its outcome… just as we expected…

The Zionist entity, with direct American support, has gone too far in spreading its terrorism. Iran, the neighboring country, will not be the only target in the region if the language of escalation continues.

We ask God Almighty to protect the neighbor and its people from the dangers of international terrorism…

What is important—most important—is that the land of the Infallibles and their holy sites in Iraq remain distant from this war. Iraq and its people do not need new wars. Therefore, we call for silencing the indecent individual voices and listening to the voice of wisdom and the voices of the revered scholars, may God protect them with His care.

We also strongly condemn the use of Iraqi airspace by the usurping entity, and we demand that the Iraqi government—if it exists—act to punish the entity through internationally recognized means to ensure such violations are not repeated.

I also advise the beloved Iraqi people not to listen to irresponsible statements that seek to spread fear among you, for that benefits the corrupt in gaining your votes in their feeble elections.

Let your voices rise in prayer for Iraq and for the protection of the region from the colonial expansion of the Zionist entity.