Tasnim � A senior Iranian lawmaker described the recent violent unrest in Iraq�s southern city of Basra and torching of the Iranian consulate there as a plot to harm the ties between Tehran and Baghdad and create rift among the axis of resistance�s nations.

In an interview with Tasnim on Monday, member of the Iranian Parliament�s National Security and Foreign Policy Commission Hossein Naqavi Hosseini said the violent unrest in Basra was a plot engineered to foment division between the pro-resistance nations following the axis of resistance�s victories against Takfiri terrorist groups in Syria and Iraq.

There are also clues to the role of Ba'ath party, involving the former Iraqi regime elements, in the attack on Iran�s consulate in Basra, he added.

Naqavi Hosseini also noted that supporters of terrorist groups and proponents of the toppled Iraqi regime are uneasy about the close bonds between people of Iran and Iraq and seek to spoil the ties ahead of the massive congregation of Arbaeen in Iraq�s holy city of Karbala.

The Iranian lawmaker also cited attempts to sap the energy of the axis of resistance as the Syrian government is preparing for an operation to liberate the city of Idlib from terrorists.

On September 7, a mob of angry protestors stormed into the Iranian consulate in Basra, destroyed the diplomatic mission�s properties, took down the flag of Iran and torched the building.

The consulate�s building was not the first to be set on fire. The angry demonstrators had earlier set government buildings ablaze as well. The buildings included the headquarters of the local government, the ruling Dawa Party, the Supreme Islamic Council and the Badr Organization.