US Raid on Iran’s Consulate a Blow at Reputation of Iraqi Gov’t

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said that the US raid on Iran’s consulate general in the northern Iraqi city of Erbil dealt a blow on the reputation of the Iraqi government. Speaking in a meeting with the prime minister of the local government of the Iraqi Kurdistan, Mottaki said that despite the toppling of the former Iraqi dictator, Saddam Hussein, plots and conspiracies are still threatening Iraq’s national interests, a statement released by the Foreign Ministry’s Information and Press Bureau reported.

“And wisdom requires all Iraqi tribes and peoples to overcome the problems which have arisen after the victory hand in hand,” he continued.

The Iranian top diplomat further pointed to insecurities created by the terrorist groups as well as prolonged occupation by foreign troops as the main problems of Iraq, reminding that the country is passing through its most sensitive and critical juncture at present.

He also termed US invasion of Iran’s consulate general in Erbil as a disgusting measure, which has struck a blow at the Iraqi government’s reputation.

To conclude his remarks, Mottaki called for the removal of the barriers existing in the way of the broadening of Iran-Kurdistan economic and trade cooperation.

For his part, prime minister of Iraqi Kurdistan’s local government appreciated Iran for siding with the Iraqi people, and stressed, “Under any kind of conditions, we will not allow any action to be taken against Iran’s national interests from Kurdistan’s soil.”

Barezani further expressed regret over the raid on Iran’s consulate in Erbil, and expressed the hope that the required grounds would be paved for the release of the Iranian diplomats.

To end his statements, he called for the resumption of Iran’s consulate activities in the Kurdish city of Erbil and bolstering of the two sides’ trade and economic cooperation.

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