Iraq’s prime minister opens political talks with militant Iraqi cleric in Iran

Iraqi leader sends envoys to exiled cleric in Iran

BAGHDAD — Officials for Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki’s political bloc say envoys are in Iran for talks with a self-exiled militant Iraqi cleric over efforts to end Iraq’s nearly 7-month political impasse.

The officials say al-Maliki’s allies are meeting Friday with anti-American cleric Muqtada al-Sadr, whose faction has opposed keeping al-Maliki in office.

A Sunni-backed coalition led by ex-Prime Minister Ayad Allawi narrowly defeated al-Maliki’s Shiite-dominated bloc in March elections. But political bosses have been deadlocked over forming a new government.

Al-Maliki’s factions seek to rally Shiite support from al-Sadr and others to keep the al-Maliki in power.

The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivities of the talks.