Militant Shiite leader Muqtada al-Sadr plans to make a series of short visits to Iraq starting within weeks, but has decided to make Iran his home base for years to come, a key aide says. ...more

August 23, 2008

Iraq's most influential Shiite cleric, Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani, has sharply reduced his workload in recent months, raising new questions about the health of the aged leader and the prospect of a dangerous power vacuum without a clear and dominant successor. ...more

February 8, 2008

The leader of Iraq's biggest Shiite militia movement has resumed seminary studies toward attaining the title of ayatollah - a goal that could make Muqtada al-Sadr and his Mahdi Army an even more formidable power broker in Iraq. ...more

December 14, 2007

The head of Iran's law enforcement agency warned Friday of a renewed crackdown on Iranians who adhere to Western cultural ways. ...more

October 20, 2007