Maleki Says Iraq Arrests Terrorists behind Attack on Iranian Workers

During the meeting held in Baghdad on Tuesday, Maleki said his country “will not allow the terrorists to undermine the stability and security of Iraq”.

“They (terrorists) will not be able to halt the trend of economic and infrastructural development in Iraq,” Maleki added.

The Iraqi prime minister also stressed the country’s determination to further boost security of Iranian pilgrims in Iraq, adding that Iraqi forces are capable enough to protect hundreds of thousands of Shiite pilgrims who are making their way to Karbala to commemorate Arbaeen, the end of 40 days of mourning following the anniversary of the death of the Prophet Muhammad's grandson, Imam Hossein (PBUH), Shiite Muslims third Imam.

Hossein Amir Abdollahian, for his part, thanked Iraqi prime minister for the measures taken to arrest those behind the deadly attack on Iranian nationals, and said,  “These terrorist acts will not disrupt Iran’s serious determination to follow up the issue and issue the order for arresting the perpetrators.”

The Iranian deputy foreign minister was in Baghdad in order to learn more about the Friday terrorist attack that killed 20 Iranian gas pipeline workers, engineers and technicians outside the northeastern Iraqi town of Muqdadiya.

President Hassan Rouhani talked with Iraqi premier on the phone on Sunday to call for tougher security measures and a united front against the menace of terrorism.

“Those who have plunged the region into crisis through arming, funding and training terrorists will eventually see their support backfiring on them," said the Iranian president in his phone talk with the Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al-Maleki.

The Iranian president also urged the Iraqi premier to spend greater efforts to ensure the security of the Iranian contractors and companies working in Iraq.