Iran regrets Iraqi president's accusation of interference

Iran on Wednesday expressed regret over remarks by Iraqi President Ghazi Yawar on accusing Iran of interfering in Iraq's internal affairs, the official IRNA news agency reported on Thursday.

"Iraqi officials are well aware of the fact that the Islamic Republic of Iran has always stressed the right of the Iraqi people to determine their own fate," Foreign Ministry spokesman Hamid-RezaAsefi was quoted as saying.

"Unfortunately, moves are underway in Iraq to harm the trend of election and cause concerns among the public. We expect Yawar to attach importance to the sensitivity of current situation and avoid repetition of such remarks," Asefi said.

The spokesman further stressed the vote of the Iraqi people would absolutely determine the fate of the country.

Yawar was quoted on Wednesday by some US media as accusing Iran of interfering in Iraq's internal affairs to influence the results of the country's election.

Iran has been keeping a close eye on the developments in its western neighbor since the downfall of former Iraqi president Saddam Hussein.

The United States has accused Tehran of spurring insurgences in Iraq with its influence upon the Shiite Muslims of the war-torn country.

The accusation has been intensified recently with the approaching of the Iraqi election, which is due on Jan. 30.

Iran categorically denied the accusation and, in return, attributed the turbulence of Iraq to foreign occupation.

Source: Xinhua