Today, a noticeable number of the ruling elite of the Iranian regime are either born in Iraq or are thought to have major Iraqi affiliations. The five Larijani brothers, sons of the Grand Ayatollah Hashem Amoli, all of whom hold some of the most powerful positions in Iran have been referred to by American journalist, Robin Wright, as the 'Kennedys of Iran'. They each hold some of the highest positions in the executive, legislative and judicial branches of the Iranian regime. Four of the five brothers were born in Najaf.