Sep 11, 2018

Iran's ambassador to Iraq opened a new consulate for his country in the southern city of Basra on Tuesday, four days after its old mission building was torched by protesters.

Basra has seen a surge in deadly protests in the past week, with demonstrators angry about poor public services setting alight several key buildings.

"I'm here to inaugurate the new premises of our Iranian consulate in Basra... because we don't want lose a single day of s

ervices for the people of Basra," said ambassador Iraj Masjedi.

The envoy was speaking at a news conference before the Iranian flag was hoisted outside the building now operating as the Islamic republic's consulate in the city.