America News Agency

Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said they were in Najaf on the second day of their visit to Iraq, describing the Shrine of Imam Ali as a spiritual refuge for millions of people.

Baqaei stated that Najaf is not only a religious center but also a city that has been associated with scholarship, Islamic jurisprudence, and thought for centuries.

Emphasizing that the shrine of Imam Ali ibn Abi Talib offers spiritual peace to its visitors, Baqaei said people are cleansed there not only from their pain and suffering but also from the burdens of the soul.

Baqaei noted that the people of Najaf reflect the shared affection of the Iranian and Iraqi peoples for Imam Ali, adding that this bond is one of the strongest symbols of the cultural and emotional closeness between the two countries.

Baqaei stressed that solidarity between the peoples of Iran and Iraq is enduring, saying, "This unity and solidarity will continue unwaveringly."