Basra, Feb 23, (VOI) – Basra's governor accused Iranian diplomats of planning an attempt on his life and interfering in the port city's political and security affairs. "Diplomatic personnel working in the Iranian consulate in Basra disclosed to me that some of the Iranian mission members planned to assassinate me and my brothers, Ismail," Governor Mohamed Misbah al-Waili told Aswat al-Iraq – Voices of Iraq – (VOI)."The Iranian consulate members have been interfering in Basra's political and security affairs despite the fact that their job must be restricted to diplomatic responsibilities only," Waili said.
He pointed out that his family "is in danger," holding the Iranians "responsible for any future assaults on my life."
The oil-rich predominantly Shiite city of Basra had seen clashes and power struggle by various Shiite parties. The governor, a member of the Shiite Fadhila (Virtue) party, is at odds with other Shiite parties participating in Basra's local council on how to administer the port province's affairs and organize its relations with the central government.