Najaf cleric Sheikh Mohammed Al-Yaqoubi condemns Israeli strikes, calls for ‘resistance’

NAJAF — Prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Mohammed Al-Yaqoubi on Saturday condemned Israel’s military strikes on Iran, describing the assault as part of a broader campaign by “arrogant powers” to dominate the region.

In a strongly worded statement issued from Najaf, Al-Yaqoubi began with a Quranic invocation — “In the name of God, the Possessor of Mighty Power. There is no strength nor power except with God the Almighty” — before accusing the “usurping Zionist entity” of carrying out “savage attacks” on Iranian residential neighborhoods, cultural landmarks, and nuclear facilities.

“The founding philosophy of this entity is rooted in oppression, aggression, and arrogance,” he said.

Al-Yaqoubi framed the Israeli operation not only as a political and military act but also as a theological confrontation. Citing Surah Al-Baqara, he said: “They will not cease fighting you until they turn you back from your religion,” asserting that such efforts are destined to fail. “God has promised they will not achieve their goal,” he added.

While mourning the loss of top Iranian military officers and nuclear scientists — whom he described as “leaders and experts who served the people’s needs” — Al-Yaqoubi said the real panic lies with Israel. He quoted the Quran: “If you suffer pain, they also suffer pain as you do,” and emphasized a spiritual distinction: “But you hope from Allah that for which they hope not.”

The cleric concluded his message with a call for perseverance, invoking martyrdom and divine justice. “All souls will taste death,” he said. “But it is either martyrdom and eternal happiness, or disgrace and humiliation followed by hellfire.”

He closed by praying for divine intervention: “We ask God to grant the Islamic nation competent, sincere leaders and righteous, expert scholars,” and called for the return of “the Awaited Savior,” a reference to the Mahdi, the messianic figure in Shia Islam.