The Iranian foreign minister Mohammad Javad Zarif met Ayatollah Sistani in Najaf on Monday.
The Iranian foreign minister also met with other senior Shia clerics in Iraq, including Ayatollah Mohammad Saeed al-Hakim, Ayatollah Sheikh Mohammed Ishaq al-Fayyadh and Ayatollah Sheikh Basheer Hussain Najafi.
After his meetings, Zarif told reporters that all efforts should be mobilized to guarantee the security of the Iraqi nation and government in the face of terrorism.
He further reiterated the Islamic Republic’s support for Iraq’s unity, territorial integrity, development and security.
Zarif has traveled to Iraq to hold talks with high-ranking Iraqi officials.
The top Iranian diplomat has held talks with Iraqi President Fuad Masum, Prime Minister-designate Haider al-Abadi, Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari, outgoing Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, Parliament Speaker Salim al-Jabouri and head of National Iraqi Alliance, Ibrahim al-Jaafari.
During the meetings, Zarif discussed bilateral relations, international developments and the ongoing Takfiri turmoil in Iraq with the country’s officials.
Zarif’s visit to Iraq comes as the Arab country is facing tensions created by the ISIL Takfiri terrorists that have overrun large swaths of land of the country. Zarif has said during his visit that Iran will stand by Iraq in fighting the ISIL Takfiri militants.