In a statement following protests at an Iranian diplomatic facility in Karbala, Iraq’s foreign ministry asserted that “the security of [diplomatic] missions and consulates is a red line that cannot be overstepped… such practices will not impact friendship and neighbourhood relations between the two neighbouring countries”. Iran’s diplomatic spokesperson subsequently indicated that “Iran has conveyed its concerns through political channels to the host government, emphasised the need for protecting the security of our country’s diplomatic and consular buildings in Iraq within the framework of international regulations and conventions and called for the necessary action and intensified measures to protect our country’s diplomatic missions in Iraq”.