Rioters attacked the building after days of violent protests Protesters have torched the Iranian consulate in the southern Iraqi city of Basra amid large protests against corruption and lack of basic services. Crowds in the streets of the Shia Muslim-majority city chanted against Iranian influence on Iraqi politics. A protester was killed and 11 more wounded during clashes with security forces. It is the fifth day of violent protests in the country’s second city, with at least 10 people killed. Officials announced a curfew at about 21:00 local time (18:00 GMT). Iran, the region’s main Shia power, has fostered ties with Iraq’s Shia majority since Saddam Hussein’s downfall. But the Iranian consulate is just another public building protesters associate with the government in Baghdad, analysts say. Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Bahram Qassemi, condemned the “agitated” attack, saying it had caused “considerable material damage”. All embassy staff are thought to […]