Maliki: Iran enemies struggling to ignite riots, plots will fail
Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki
Baghdad (IraqiNews.com) Iraqi Vice President Nouri al-Maliki accused “enemies” of Iran of standing behind the ongoing deadly protests, but said the events remain an internal affair.
Answering reporters’ questions via his media office, Maliki said “What is going is in Iran is an internal affair, though Iran’s enemies and their extensions inside are trying to stir riots and turbulence”.
He called for “calm and proper measures that serve the best of the friendly Iranian nation”.
Maliki said he denounces “foreign intervention into the affairs of Iran or any other country,”, adding that “we are confident that the Islamic Republic, which realized victory with massive popular support under the leadership of the late Imam Khomeini (exalted be his memory) will foil all foreign plots”.
Iran has been ravaged with massive protests in Tehran and other cities since last Thursday over prices and unemployment. Clashes with police left nearly 20 dead until Tuesday. The government said protests were unlicensed, at one occasion accusing foreign perpetrators of killing demonstrators.
Shia Iran is viewed as the biggest backer of Iraqi Shia politicians and militias. Iran trained and armed Shia Popular Mobilization Forces which fought Islami State militants since 2014.
Maliki, who left office as prime minister of Iraq in 2014, was a close ally to Tehran.