The Iranian foreign ministry condemned the Wednesday attack against the country's consulate in the holy city of Najaf, stressing the need for the Iraqi government to protect the diplomatic missions and punish the rioters. Staff at the Iranian consulate were evacuated safely before the attack in the holy city. Local authorities imposed a curfew following the incident, state media reported.
According to local media, 47 Iraqi security staff have been injured during the attack. The Saudi-led media Al-Arabiya, activities of which is illegal in Iraq, has broadcast the attack in a live report from its beginning which raises the probability of a pre-planned attack.
According to Fars News Agency, the attackers were a group wearing masks who had come from other cities to Najaf in a planned move to set the consulate ablaze, they added.
A total of 100 demonstrators were injured during the clashes between security forces and demonstrators near the Iranian consulate in Najaf.
Sumeria News channel reported protesters had set roadblocks on Karbala-Najaf highway by accumulating used tires of cars or trucks.
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