Ambassador Denies Attack on Iranian Embassy in Baghdad

Iranian Ambassador to Iraq Hassan Danayee-Far dismissed the reports that the embassy building in Central Baghdad had come under fire on Tuesday.
Media reports stated this afternoon that the Iranian embassy, near the heavily fortified Green Zone, has been targetted by unknown assailants, while other reports said a gunfire had erupted a few blocks away from the Iranian mission.

But Danayee-Far strongly rejected the reports and told FNA that “the Iranian embassy in Baghdad has not come under gunfire and the relevant reports released in this regard are fully denied.”

Yet, he confirmed that some gunfire had erupted in a street near the Iranian mission at 15:45 local time resulting in no death, but the injury of one person.

Spokesman Ali Naraqi also said the shooting had nothing to do with the embassy.

Witnesses reported heavy gunfire, and said security forces closed roads and bridges in the area.
Iraq has been hit by a year-long surge in violence that has reached levels not seen since 2008, driven by Saudi-backed militants who are also involved in war of insurgency in neighbouring Syria.