Iraq bombs aim to stir sectarian strife

The deadly string of bombings in Iraq on Monday aim to foment sectarian strife and threaten the country's independence, neighbour and Shiite ally Iran said. The explosions ripped through 18 Iraqi cities, killing at least 107 people and wounding more than 200, according to Iraqi officials. It was the deadliest day of attacks in Iraq in more than two years. "These terrorist acts correspond to an enmity whose goal is to create sectarian discord and threaten the security, stability and independence of Iraq," the foreign ministry said in a statement carried by official IRNA news agency. But Iran was "certain" that Iraqi officials would successfully defend their "sovereignty in the face of enemy conspiracies," it said. The ministry said Iran "strongly condemns the recent explosions in Baghdad that martyred and injured a number of fasting Muslims" observing the Islamic holy period of Ramadan.