The United States ambassador to Iraq, Alina Romanowski, has denounced featuring Shia spiritual leader Grand Ayatollah Ali Sistani on an apparent hit list by Israel’s Channel 14, praising the Muslim scholar for “promoting a more peaceful region”.

Washington expressed solidarity with Ayatollah Sistani on Thursday amid growing outrage in the Middle East, especially by Shia groups, over the Israeli broadcast.

“Grand Ayatollah Sistani is a renowned and respected religious leader in the international community. He is a critical and influential voice in promoting a more peaceful region,” Romanowski said in a social media post without explicitly mentioning the Israeli broadcast.

“We reject any suggestion of targeting Grand Ayatollah Sistani. The United States continues to support efforts to promote peace in the region,” she added, Al Jazeera reported.