My latest interview. I talked with Dr Nicholas Krohley author of the Death of the Mehdi Army about Sadr's difficult relationship with Iran. Sadr was a staunch nationalist based upon his father's teachings that Iraqi Shiite Arabs should control the Najaf clerical establishment. His need to arm his militia however led him to a marriage of convenience with Iran. Tehran however wanted more pliable partners which was what led it to support breakaway factions of the Mahdi Army like Asaib Ahl Al-Haq which would do its bidding. Here's a link.