Iran’s Consulate-General in Arbil Legal – Spokesman

Text of report in English by Iranian news agency IRNA website

Tehran, 14 January: Iran on Sunday [14 January] said that all activities of its consulate-general in the northern Iraqi city of Arbil were legal, official and endorsed by Iraqi officials.

Foreign Ministry spokesman Mohammad Ali Hoseyni made the remark at his weekly press conference.

He said Iran’s consulate-general in Arbil was officially inaugurated in 1992 upon an agreement signed between Iranian and Iraqi officials.

He added that the US attack on Iran’s consulate on Thursday [11 January] was a wilful measure against international conventions and diplomatic norms.

“The US forces should release Iranian diplomats immediately and compensate for the damages they have inflicted on the building,” the spokesman said.

He added that five Iranian diplomats working at the consulate have been engaged in legal and official activities within the law.

“The US intends to make the atmosphere more radical but the Islamic Republic of Iran will pursue the case wisely through official channels,” Hoseyni stressed.

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