BAGHDAD, Iraq

Iraqi Shia cleric Muqtada al-Sadr declared on Saturday that Israel's recent attack on Iran constitutes a "violation of international law and an assault on an independent, sovereign state."

In a statement, Sadr criticized the attack, calling it a "clear transgression of international law by the terrorist entity [Israel] and its supporting state, the United States."

“The Israeli attack was weak, reflecting the intense anxiety and confusion facing the Zionist entity and its backers, due to Iran's steadfast stance and the courage of resistance forces in Palestine and Lebanon,” he added.

At least two Iranian soldiers were killed Saturday when the Israeli army targeted Iranian military facilities in response to Iran's large-scale Oct. 1 ballistic missile attack on Israel.

The White House said Israel’s strikes must bring to an end direct exchanges of fire between the two sides, warning Tehran of “consequences” should it respond.

Iranian military officials had previously warned that any attack from Israel would be met with a “harsher response.”

*Writing by Ikram Kouachi in Ankara