Iraqi Hezbollah group slams attack on Iran consulate

Head of Kata'ib Hezbollah political bureau Abu Ahmad Sudani in a meeting with Iran's envoy to Iraq Iraj Masjedi expressed regrets over September 7 attacks on Popular Mobilization Forces (PMF) bases, hospital and the Iranian consulate in Basra, southeastern Iraq.

Those who were arrested confessed that they have been in connection with foreign countries and some neighboring Arab states, Sudani said.

Meanwhile, the Iranian ambassador said Tehran-Baghdad brotherly relations have become a source of concern for certain people.

Angry protesters stormed the Iranian consulate in Basra, setting a fire inside as part of ongoing demonstrations in the city against lack of services and jobs that had turned deadly last week.

Demonstrators attacked the building, located in the southern part of Basra, prompting security forces to open fire to quell the protests.

The Iraqi TV channel al-Ahd broadcast several audio files from the Saudi intelligence agency's involvement in the recent unrest in Basra province and its connection with some elements in the security apparatus of this province.

The audio files received from the network's certain sources indicated that the Saudi intelligence agency has been trying to recruit people in Basra to use them on special occasions and missions.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Bahram Qasemi denounced the brutal attack on Iran’s consulate general in Basra and called for the punishment of its perpetrators.

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