PHOTO: Building of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Baghdad,

The embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Baghdad strongly condemned the assassination of a top advisor to the Iraqi government on counter-terrorism Hisham al-Hashimi.

Iran PressMiddle East: Iran's embassy in Baghdad said in a statement: "We are deeply saddened to learn of the assassination of Dr. Hisham al-Hashimi, a researcher and strategic expert. The Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran strongly condemns this criminal act, which has shown its ugly face by killing Iraqi elites."

The statement went on to say that the main purpose of perpetrators and supporters of such crimes is to destabilize and secure Iraq, to ??create discord and division among the country's children, and to restore violence to Iraq.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran has always supported the stability and security of Iraq and strongly condemns such actions."

Al-Hashimi's assassination has sparked a wave of outrage among Iraqi media, politics, and cyberspace, with activists calling for the government and security forces to identify the perpetrators.

ISIL has claimed responsibility for the assassination of al-Hashimi.

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