Sistani offers condolences on Khamenei’s killing, urges Iranian people to preserve unity

NAJAF — Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, Iraq’s highest-ranking Shiite cleric, offered condolences Sunday to the Iranian people and Muslims worldwide following the killing of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, urging Iranians to preserve unity and “not allow the aggressors to achieve their malicious goals.”

“With deep sorrow and grief, I extend my condolences to the noble Iranian people and to Muslims around the world on the martyrdom of the great leader of the Islamic Republic, His Eminence Ayatollah Sayyid Khamenei,” Sistani said in a statement from his office in Najaf.

Sistani said Khamenei’s “lofty status and his unique role in leading the system of the Islamic Republic over many long years is clear to all,” and warned that through “his martyrdom and the wide military aggression against the country, the enemies seek to deliver a blow to dear Iran.”

The Iraqi government separately declared three days of nationwide mourning and renewed its call for an immediate and unconditional halt to military operations in the region.