Demonstrators set fire in front of the Iranian consulate, as they gather during ongoing anti-govt protests in Najaf, Iraq on Wednesday. Reuters

Iraq condemned an attack on Iran’s consulate in the southern city of Najaf, its state news agency said early on Thursday, citing the foreign ministry, after the building was stormed and set ablaze by Iraqi protesters the previous day.

Wednesday’s attack was ‘aimed at damaging the historical relations between Iraq and Iran and with rest of the countries,’ the ministry said in a statement.

“Diplomatic missions operating in Iraq are highly respected and appreciated,” it added, stressing that the incident did not reflect Iraq’s perspective.

Reuters