Iraqi Shiites’ top cleric Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani has issued a religious edict—fatwa—calling for people’s assistance to Iran amid the ongoing war in the region, Middle East Online reports.

Sistani described such assistance as a form of “collective jihad”—a religious duty that becomes obligatory for society if forces are insufficient to protect Muslims or Islamic holy sites.

Sistani issued the fatwa amid an escalation of the conflict, which could heighten concerns that Iraq will be drawn into a regional confrontation, Middle East Online adds.