Iranian FM stresses regional cooperation to fight terrorism

Iranian Foreign Minister Mohammad Javad Zarif condemned the recent terrorist attack which killed 20 Iranian technicians working on Iran-Iraq gas pipeline in Baqubah, and reiterated the necessity for cooperation among the regional states to fight terrorism. “Actually, the terrorist act was an ominous move against the two countries and all the other regional nations, and it doubled the necessity for the regional states' consultation and cooperation to confront this ominous phenomenon of terrorism,” Zarif said in a meeting with Leader of the Iraqi Shiite National Coalition Ebrahim Jafari in Tehran on Monday. He appreciated the Iraqi government for its continued investigations into the identity of the terrorists behind the attack against the Iranian technicians, and stressed, “The two countries will make their utmost efforts to continue the present trend of the consolidation of their relations despite these desperate attempts (made by the enemies).” On Friday, masked gunmen shot dead 22 people near the village of Balad Ruz, situated 90 kilometers (55 miles) Northeast of Baghdad. The victims were working on a pipeline projected to carry natural gas from Iran to its Western neighbor, when they came under attack. After the attack, Iran announced that such acts cannot impede implementation of the project. Managing Director of Iran’s Gas Engineering and Development Company Alireza Qaribi said that the attack is under investigation, and noted that an Iranian private sector contractor is in charge of building the gas pipeline. He further added that Iran is resolved to continue implementing the gas pipeline which will carry Iran's natural gas to Iraq. The project will connect Iraq’s gas network and Naft Shahr energy reserves in Western Iran.