Iraq’s foreign ministry censures attack on Iranian consulate in Karbala

Iraq’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned an attack on the Iranian consulate in the holy city of Karbala, reaffirming Baghdad’s commitment to protection of diplomatic missions in the Arab country.

The ministry censured on Monday the attack by a group of so-called demonstrators on the Iranian consulate and voiced Baghdad’s commitment to the security and "inviolability" of foreign missions in the country.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemns the attack by some demonstrators on the Consulate General of the Islamic Republic of Iran in the holy city of Karbala, and reaffirms the ministry’s commitment to the inviolability of diplomatic missions guaranteed by the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations and the need not to endanger their security,” the statement said.

The ministry said diplomatic missions in Iraq have been established on bilateral agreements, adding that they need to be respected and their security must not be endangered.

“The security of foreign missions and consulates is a red line [for Iraqi authorities] and no encroachment would ever be permissible,” the statement noted.

Reports said no serious damage was inflicted on the diplomatic mission building and the Iranian staff and diplomatic employees were uninjured.

MG