*As Iran Hits Israeli Hospital
*Trump Mulls Deployment Of Extraordinary Military Weapon
Iraq’s top Shia cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani, warned against targeting Iran’s leadership and said that the Iran-Israel war could plunge the whole region into chaos, Agence France-Presse (AFP) reports.
Sistani said in a statement on Thursday,June 19, that any targeting of Iran’s “supreme religious and political leadership” would have “dire consequences on the region.”
He warned that it could spark “widespread chaos that would exacerbate the suffering of its [the region’s] people and severely harm everyone’s interests.”
Sistani urged the international community to “make every effort to end this unjust war and find a peaceful solution” to Iran’s nuclear programme.
Sistani, an Iranian, is the highest religious authority for millions of Shia Muslims in Iraq and around the world, with the power to mobilise a huge portion of that base in Iraq.
With warnings of all-out regional war intensifying following Israel’s surprise assault on Iran last week, fears are growing over an intervention by Iran-backed Iraqi factions, mostly against American interests in the region.
Hospital In Southern Israel Hit By Iranian Missile
Soroka hospital in the southern Israeli city of Beersheba has been hit by a ballistic missile, Israeli officials have said, after Iran launched its latest wave of retaliatory airstrikes on the country.
Unverified footage on social media showed people running through corridors filled with dust and detritus and doctors standing outside amid wreckage from the building.
“BREAKING: A direct hit has been reported at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba, southern Israel. More details to follow,” the Israeli Foreign Ministry posted on X.
A spokesperson for the hospital reported “damage to the hospital and extensive damage in various areas. We are currently assessing the damage, including injuries. We ask the public not to come to the hospital at this time.”
Sirens sounded across the country earlier, and Israeli media reported that several loud blasts were also heard in central Israel with several other direct hits reported. Explosions were heard over Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.
On the heels of the hit, Israel’s Defence Minister, Israel Katz said on Thursday that Iran’s supreme leader Khamenei would be “held accountable” after the Iranian strike on Soroka hospital.
The Minister added that he had ordered the army to “intensify strikes” on the Islamic republic.
On the other hand, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi warned the U.S today against intervening in the war to back up its ally Israel, according to state TV, AFP reported.
He added that his country was ready to defend itself in case of escalation.
Gharibabadi said: “If the United States wants to actively enter the field in favour of the Zionist regime, Iran will have to use its tools to both teach a lesson to aggressors and defend its national security and national interests.
“Naturally, our military decision makers have all the necessary options on the table.”
The Minister previously said that Iran has never welcomed any war and never sought to expand any conflict.
