Massive blast at Iran embassy rocks central Baghdad

BAGHDAD — A massive explosion in front of the Iranian embassy rocked central Baghdad on Sunday, an AFP correspondent said.

The explosion occurred around 11:20 am (0920 GMT), shattering windows in nearby buildings, with gunshots and ambulance sirens heard minutes later as emergency services rushed to the scene. 

The enormous blast sent a large plume of smoke billowing across the Iraqi capital.

The blast was the third heard by AFP correspondents in Baghdad on Sunday morning, and follows major sets of co-ordinated explosions in the capital in August, October, December and January.

It comes as Iraq’s political parties negotiate to form a government, nearly a month after a general election. 

Security officials have warned that a protracted period of coalition building could give insurgents an opportunity to further destabilise Iraq.

Source: AFP