Deputy FM: Iran Not to Allow Takfiri Terrorists to Trouble Tehran-Baghdad Ties

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir Abdollahian condemned the Friday terrorist attack which killed 20 Iranian oil and gas experts in Iraq, and said the Takfiri extremists who should be blamed for the operation are not able to hinder further expansion of the relations between Tehran and Baghdad.
“We will not allow Takfiri terrorists to stand in the way of cooperation between the two countries and nations,” Amir Abdollahian told FNA on Sunday.

He warned supporters and funders of the terrorist groups that insecurity in the region will one day entangle them as well.

Amir Abdollahian pointed out that security of the regional states is interwoven, and that’s why “we believe that the security of Iraq and the region is linked and interrelated.”

Earlier, the Iranian Foreign Ministry strongly condemned the Friday terrorist attack on the Iranian gas pipeline technicians in Iraq which left 22 dead, including 20 Iranian nationals.

In a statement issued late on Friday, the Foreign Ministry expressed condolences over the tragic incident and offered sympathy with the families of the victims.

It also said that an investigation has been launched to determine the full circumstances of the terrorist act.

On Friday, masked gunmen shot dead 22 people near the village of Balad Ruz, situated 90 kilometers (55 miles) Northeast of Baghdad.

The victims were working on a pipeline projected to carry natural gas from Iran to its Western neighbor, when they came under attack.

After the attack, Iran announced that such acts cannot impede implementation of the project.

Managing Director of Iran’s Gas Engineering and Development Company Alireza Qaribi said that the attack is under investigation, and noted that an Iranian private sector contractor is in charge of building the gas pipeline.

He further added that Iran is resolved to continue implementing the gas pipeline which will carry Iran’s natural gas to Iraq.

The project will connect Iraq’s gas network and Naft Shahr energy reserves in Western Iran.