Home to some of its most influential clerics, Qom is among Iran's most important cities, politically and religiously.

Thousands of religious authorities are based at its seminaries, and the city is also a frequent stop for politicians eager to brief senior ayatollahs in hopes of getting their approval for their plans and policies.

Yet at least one cleric wants to make Qom even more powerful by turning it into an independent country.

Ahmad Zadhoush, who heads a religious center in the desert city, has suggested that Qom should become like Vatican City, the world's smallest state and the home of the Roman Catholic Church controlled by the Holy See.

Zadhoush's Almourtaza Society trains clerics and organizes religious courses and conferences. He made the proposal in a post on the messaging app Telegram that was widely cited by Iranian media outlets.

"The time has come for Qom to become an independent country, a country with specific geographic borders, special flag, constitution, [a country] that will be recognized by the international community and will be hosting ambassadors from different countries," he wrote.

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