EU interests in Iraq and Iran at risknote

Iraqi and Iranian sources warn that EU differences with Iran over its nuclear programme will affect the work of EU oil companies this time in both Iran and Iraq. According to these sources, Shiite extremist groups in both countries will make use of any plan to bring the issue before the UN Security Council to launch attacks against the installations of these companies. The Iranian Interior Ministry is taking the necessary measures to foil such attacks, but it may fail to do so under possible popular pressure. Meanwhile, Iraqi sources in southern Iraq draw attention to possible attacks by Salafi extremist groups against EU oil interests in Basra in Iraq and Abadan in Iran, in a bid to widen the gap between Europe and Tehran. Tehran and Baghdad are holding contacts to see how to foil such attacks. Iraq Newswires - January 20, 2006 - 7th Year