Basra governor accuses Iran of plotting his death

BAGHDAD (CNN) - The governor of Basra claimed that Iran's consulate in his southern Iraq province plotted to assassinate him and that it should be closed down unless it follows diplomatic rules. Gov. Mohammed al-Waili told CNN he learned of the plot to kill him from his security guards.

The governor said the Iranian consulate in Basra has been interfering with his government's affairs. "I will send a memorandum to the Iraqi Ministry of Interior in which I will demand the Iranian consulate to abide by the diplomatic rules in Basra, otherwise the consulate should be closed down," Gov. al-Waili said.

An official at Iran's Embassy in Baghdad told CNN they were not aware of the accusation.