Terrorism in Iraq evil act against Mideast

Iran’s Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif has slammed the recent terrorist attack in Iraq against Iranian nationals as a evil act against all the regional nations and called for concerted efforts to counter terrorism.

Zarif made the remarks at a Monday meeting with former Iraqi premier and head of the Iraqi National Alliance Ibrahim al-Jaafari in Tehran.

On December 13, masked gunmen shot dead 15 Iranian and three Iraqi gas pipeline workers near the village of Balad Ruz, situated some 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Another five Iranians and two Iraqis were wounded in the attack.

Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki has formed a special committee to probe into the deadly incident.

Zarif praised the Iraqi government’s efforts to pursue the matter and noted that Tehran and Baghdad would continue to improve ties despite such incidents.

The Iranian foreign minister underlined Tehran’s support for unity and development in Iraq and the expansion of ties with Baghdad in all areas.

Jaafari, for his part, praised the role of Iran as a strong and active country in regional and global developments and in the resolution of existing issues and crises.

The Iraqi political figure condemned the killing of Iranian workers and technicians in the recent terrorist attack and offered condolences to the Iranian nation and government.

He noted that not only would such inhumane acts of terrorism fail to undermine Iran-Iraq ties, but they would also strengthen the two countries’ resolve to develop cooperation.