Danaeifar said such inhumane acts of terrorism fail to undermine Iran-Iraq ties, but they would also strengthen the two countries’ resolve to develop cooperation.

Pointing out that Iran’s business ties have nothing to do with sectarian matters, Danaeifar highlighted that there is no doubt that the aim of terrorist acts is to disrupt ties between Iran and Iraq.

On December 13, masked gunmen shot dead 15 Iranian and three Iraqi gas pipeline workers near the village of Balad Ruz, situated some 80 kilometers (50 miles) northeast of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. Another five Iranians and two Iraqis were wounded in the attack.

“Despite great efforts Iraqi police over providing the required security for the Iranian technicians, the terrorist groups abused the existing security gaps in the country and committed such dreadful crime,” he added.

Iran’s ambassador also noted that Iraqi officials have already undertaken to identify the perpetrators behind the Friday’s attack and promote further security measures in this regards.

Danaeifar added that Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian who had just entered Iraq, would hold talks with Iraqi top officials to discuss the regional security and bilateral issues.

RA/NJF