Amidst protests in Iraq, demonstrators set fire to Iran’s consulate in Najaf. In a statement, the Foreign Ministry of Iraq condemned the attack “in the strongest terms” and contended that “its purpose is clear; to harm the historical relations between Iraq and Iran and countries of the world whose missions are in Iraq”. The ministry further urged “demonstrators to be vigilant against those suspects who want to discredit demonstrations that call for reform”. On a phone call with his Iranian counterpart, Iraq’s foreign minister “expressed his regret for what happened”, while emphasising “Baghdad’s adherence to strategic relations with Tehran and its aspiration to strengthen bilateral relations by expanding the circle of cooperation to achieve common interests between the two countries; and serve the two friendly peoples”.