Iran Summons Swiss Envoy over US Allegations

The Iranian foreign ministry on Wednesday summoned the Swiss charge de 'affairs to Tehran whose country represents the US interests in the Islamic Republic, and voiced strong protest at Washington’s recent allegations against Iran over the recent developments in Iraq.

News ID: 448278

Date: 02 January 2020 - 12:13

RNA - The Iranian foreign ministry summoned the Swiss envoy to strongly protest at the US officials' stances on the developments in Iraq and their warmongering remarks that run counter to the UN Charter.

In the meeting, Senior Assistant to the Iranian Foreign Minister Mohsen Baharvand called on the Swiss envoy to convey Iran's protest at the US and tell the American officials that Iraq is an independent country and the Iraqi people are freedom-seeking, independence-seeking and honorable.

He added that the US has martyred at least 25 Iraqi youths and wounded a large number of others without providing any evidence to prove their involvement in attacks against the US positions in Iraq.

"It is natural for the Iraqi people to show reaction to a country which has occupied their land and kills their youths," Baharvand said.

He noted that the Americans have also concurrently bombed two points in Syria which indicates that they are pursuing a hidden agenda, adding, "The American officials would be better to stop blame game and not to raise allegations against our country without any reason."

Baharvand said that Iran is not a warmonger country but it defends itself against any aggression powerfully.

The US drones on Sunday bombarded a Hashd al-Shaabi base near the border with Syria in Iraq's Western province of Anbar, a Hashd Shaabi statement said.

The attack took place in the evening when the US drones bombarded the base of Hashd Shaabi's 45th Brigade near the border town of al-Qaim, the statement said.

The bombardment left tens of the brigade's members killed and wounded.

In reaction, Hashd al-Shaabi Lieutenant Commander Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis warned of a harsh response to the attack, saying that the blood of martyrs will not be wasted.

Also, Asa'eb al-Haq Movement, affiliated to the Iraqi popular forces of Hashd al-Shaabi, described the US deployment in Iraq as a threat to the country, calling on all political groups to react to Washington's "cowardly attack".

Meantime, Qassem Moslih, the commander of Hashd al-Shaabi in al-Anbar province, said that the US wanted to change the equations by bombing the popular forces' positions.

Also, resigned Iraqi Prime Minister Adel Abdul Mahdi in a message to the US secretary of defense underlined his opposition to the attack, waring that bombing Hashd al-Shaabi positions is a dangerous tension which threatens the security of Iraq and the region.

Meantime, Head of the National Wisdom Movement of Iraq Ammar al-Hakim condemned the attack, describing it as clear violation of Iraq's sovereignty.

Also, Falih al-Khazali, a member of al-Fatah coalition in the Iraqi parliament, warned that the US forces have started an obvious war against Iraq.

Meantime, Iraq's Hezbollah Brigades in a statement deplored the attack, terming it hostile aggression against the defenders of Iraq's borders.

Also, Iraqi President Barham Salih underlined that the attack was conducted against the two countries' agreements, describing it as unacceptable.

On Tuesday, thousands of Iraqis participated in the funeral ceremony of Hashd al-Shaabi martyrs killed in the US Sunday attack against their position, as they moved towards Washington's embassy in Baghdad.

The Arabic-language al-Mayadeen news channel reported on Tuesday that participants in the funeral ceremony declared a sit-in in areas near the US embassy and some of them erected tents in the area.

According to Fars News Agency, a large number of Iraqi people, carrying the flags of Iraq and Hashd al-Shaabi, are moving towards the suspension bridge that leads to the US embassy from al-Janaderiyeh region.

They also carry placards to condemn the US aggression against Hashd al-Shaabi and Iraq's sovereignty, calling for the expulsion of the American ambassador.

The participants in the funeral ceremony also warned Iraqi legislators that if they do not approve a bill to expel the US forces, they will not allow them to enter the parliament anymore.

After the Iraqi protestors attacked the US embassy in Iraq, the American officials took positions against Iran by blaming the country for organizing the rallies but Tehran has denied any involvement.

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