Shafaq News / The Iranian Minister of foreign affairs, Muhammad Javad Zarif, described the religious authority, Ali al-Sistani as a "strong fortress" for Iraq, after rejecting an Iranian newspaper's attack on him.

Zarif said in a statement, "Iran appreciates the role of his eminence in establishing security and stability in Iraq, preserving its sovereignty and territorial integrity, getting rid of the occupation forces and building a new Iraq according to the requirements of its people".

The Iranian Ministry of foreign affairs spokesman, Saeed Khatibzadeh, condemned the Iranian newspaper, Kayhan, for attacking Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani.

The director of "Kayhan" newspaper, who is appointed by Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, criticized Al-Sistani's call for UN supervision of the upcoming Iraqi elections scheduled for next June 6.