This step may influence not only Shiites but also Sunnis
The recent declaration of jihad against the USA and Israel by Iranian Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi has marked the beginning of a religious war. This opinion was expressed by military expert Alexander Perendzhiev, an associate professor at the Department of Political Analysis and Socio-Psychological Processes at Plekhanov Russian University of Economics, in an interview with the publication "Lenta.ru".
Perendzhiev noted that the ayatollah is an authoritative figure in Shiite theology. The largest number of representatives of the Shiite ummah, excluding Iran, resides in Iraq. The expert believes that this ummah will have to respond in some way to the declared war. In his opinion, this declaration of jihad may currently retain its local nature, limited to Iran and part of Iraq.
The political scientist added that a possible expansion of the conflict into a full-scale war could occur if a fatwa — a Muslim law — is issued. This, he said, could affect not only Shiites but also Sunnis.
“For the USA and Israel, this will be an extremely serious challenge, as fighting against a state is one thing, but against all Shiites, if not all Muslims, is something entirely different,” Perendzhiev noted. He concluded that such a statement indicates that the conflict could develop with serious consequences and for a long duration.
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