Mohammad Nahavandian, President Hassan Rouhani's chief of staff, held talks with senior clerics during his visit to the holy city of Qom on Thursday.
Nahavandian met with some marja taqlids, including Grand Ayatollahs Hossein Nouri Hamadani, Naser Makarem Shirazi, Lotfollah Safi Golpaygani, Jafar Sobhani, Mousa Shobeiri Zanjani, Hossein Vahid Khorasani and Abdollah Javadi Amoli, IRNA reported.
A marja taqlid is a Shiite cleric who is regarded as a source of emulation. In his meeting with the presidential office chief, Ayatollah Makarem Shirazi expressed satisfaction with the talks between Iran and the six major powers on Tehran's nuclear program and said, "The negotiations have advanced well and we hope they will be continued as before, no matter the talks lead to success or failure."
He also praised the performance of the government and said the Rouhani administration has managed to take effective and positive steps in the economic sector, adding that tangible progress can also be observed in the health sector, despite the challenges facing these areas.
Nahavandian, for his part, said the administration is keen on consultations with clerics, grand ayatollahs and seminary teachers and students on all topics.
In a separate meeting, Ayatollah Sobhani referred to the brutal and barbaric actions of terrorist groups in the region and said, "Terrorist groups, such as Daesh (the Arabic acronym for the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant), have inflicted great human and financial losses and have also aroused international disgust with the Salafi movement."
Nahavandian also briefed the senior cleric on the achievements of the Rouhani administration in various spheres.
Anti-Corruption Campaign Hailed
In another meeting, Ayatollah Javadi Amoli praised the administration's resolve to combat corruption and said, "The campaign should be taken more seriously to make reforms in the state's economic system."
In his meeting with Ayatollah Vahid Khorasani, Nahavandian said, "Iran as a Muslim and Shiite country is the standard-bearer of the battle against violence and extremism and does it best to show the peaceful image of Islam in today's world."
He pointed to President Rouhani's upcoming visit to Qom, expressing hope that the trip would bring more prosperity to the province. He also conveyed the president's regards to the senior cleric.
Rouhani is scheduled to visit Qom Province next week as part of his provincial tours since he took office in August 2013.
