The Head of the Radio and Television Union of Islamic Countries (IRTVU), Hojjat-ol-Islam Ali Karimian said the Americans were pursuing certain plots and schemes in Iraq to cut off Iran's hand from the country, but Arbaeen will scupper and neutralize their plots.

Iran PressIran news:The head of the Radio and Television Union of Islamic Countries, Hojjat-ol-Islam Ali Karimian, speaking on Wednesday 10 October at the interior ministry building in Tehran emphasized that the Americans wanted to cut-off Iran's hands in Iraq, and the plot was headed by career diplomat and the former US ambassador to Baghdad, Ryan Crocker.

According to an Iran Press report, Hojjat-ol-Islam Ali Karimian added: "The American and the Israelis did their best to sour relations between Tehran and Baghdad, and to implement this scheme.  They wanted Iraq to have more contacts with other Arab countries, and to have no contact whatsoever with the Islamic Republic of Iran."

Hojjat-ol-Islam Ali Karimian pointedly added: "The Arbaeen mourning ceremonies represent a huge gathering of Muslims, and brings together in particular Iranian and Iraqi Muslims. Arbaeen connects and intertwines Iran and Iraq, and to a large extent neutralizes and scuppers US and Israeli designs and plots. And the media can also play a very important role in all of this."

Addressing reporters and journalists Hojjat-ol-Islam Ali Karimian said: "If you are making a documentary or television programme about Arbaeen, then don't forget to interview the mourners and pilgrims who have set out on foot on a journey to Karbala. In many ways they are more important than officials. Concentrate on the Arbaeen mourners, rather than political discussions between various factions."

Hojjat-ol-Islam Ali Karimian added: "The work of Hazrat Zeinab Kobra (PBUH) in Karbala was to propagate and disseminate the message of Imam Hussein (PBUH), and the message of Aashura. Journalist and correspondents today, also have the honour to do a similar job and to spread the message of Imam Hussein (PBUH) among all the peoples of the world."

Arbaeen is an annual Shiite Muslim religious observance that occurs 40 days after the Day of Ashura, the martyrdom of Imam Hussain, the third Shiite Imam.

Shiite Muslims from Iran and other regional countries attend the Arbaeen ceremonies held in the Iraqi city of Karbala, where the shrine of Imam Hussain is located.