Bahraini-Iranian relations are experiencing political tension because Manama accuses Tehran of interfering in its internal affairs and supporting the “Shia” opposition in the country.
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Bahrain yesterday recalled its ambassador from Tehran and declared the Iranian Charge D’affaires in Bahrain, Mohammad Reza Babaei, a “persona non grata”, giving him 72 hours to leave the country, a statement issued by the Bahraini Foreign Ministry revealed.
Bahrain, which has a majority Shia Muslim population ruled by a Sunni dynasty, has suffered from unrest since a pro-democracy uprising in 2011.
Bahrain has submitted a complaint to the United Nations denouncing the Iranian regime’s “interference” in its internal affairs, the BNA news agency said Friday.
Iran has rejected “the baseless accusations from Bahrain”.
Tehran has denied involvement in any violence in Bahrain.
The newspaper explained that the move was taken by the kingdom as a result of Iran’s continuous blatant encroachment on its sovereignty through repeated interference in its domestic affairs, violation of worldwide norms through its attempts to undermine its security and stability, continuous incitement in a bid to ignite sectarian strife and unwavering support for terror and sabotage elements politically, in the media and practically through harbouring and training them or dispatching tools of killing and destruction-weapons and explosives- to them. Bahrain is part of a Saudi-led coalition targeting Shiite rebels in Yemen who are backed by Iran.
It said Iran was behind a large bomb-making factory and 1.5 tons of explosives uncovered by police near the capital this week.
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The cache purportedly included a tonne and a half of powerful explosive materials, automatic rifles, pistols and hand grenades.
