Iranian President Hassan Rouhani met with prominent Shiite cleric Grand Ayatollah Seyyed Ali al-Sistani during his trip to the holy city of Najaf in Iraq.

Iran Press/Middle East: In the historic meeting, Rouhani sat down with Ayatollah Sistani at his residence on Wednesday after visiting the shrine of Imam Ali (PBUH) – the first Imam of Shia Muslims.

Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif and Ambassador to Baghdad Iraj Masjedi were also present at the meeting, Iran Press reported.

So far, there have been no reports about what has been discussed at the meeting. Journalists and photographers are rarely let into Ayatollah Sistani’s meetings.

Rouhani is the first Iranian president ever to have met with Ayatollah Sistani.

Grand Ayatollah Sistani is known as the spiritual leader of Iraqi Shia Muslims and one of the most senior clerics in Shia Islam.

The Iranian president who traveled to Iraq for three-day state visit, is scheduled to meet with other senior officials and clerics in Najaf, later on Wednesday. 101

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