Iran warns Iraq against inspecting planes

7 October 2012, 14:54 (GMT+05:00)

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Iran's Ambassador to Baghdad Hassan Danaeifar has warned against the consequences of Iraq's inspection of a Syria-bound Iranian cargo plane, saying Tehran would reciprocate the move in case of its recurrence, Press TV reported.

On October 2, Iraq stopped and inspected a Damascus-bound Iran Air cargo plane from Tehran upon the request of the US, but allowed it to continue as no prohibited items were found on board.

"What Iraq did regarding the inspection of the planes bound for Syria is not in accordance with the diplomatic norms between the two countries and runs counter to the two states' security agreements and air transportation treaty," Danaeifar told reporters on Sunday.

"The Iraqi government unfortunately forced the Iranian plane to land in order to be investigated", he said. "It found nothing."

The Iranian ambassador dismissed the claims by the US officials that Tehran uses Iraq's airspace to send weapons to the Syrian government.

Iran calls on the Iraqi government to avoid the repetition of such moves against Iranian planes, which, according to him, carry travelers to Syria, Danaeifar said.