“To say that Iran interferes and provokes people is an insult to the Bahraini people. The people of Bahrain, including Shias, Sunnis and Christians decide for their own future,” Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said on Wednesday.
“Our relations with Bahrain are based on mutual respect, cooperation and also emphasis on the country’s independence,” Amir-Abdollahian added
Bahrain summoned Iran's charge d'affaires, Mehdi Eslami, on Monday over claims that Tehran is interfering in Manama’s internal affairs.
Amir-Abdollahian said Iran’s stance on the Bahrain developments is based on the necessity of a peaceful resolution of issues through dialogue and implementation of political reforms.
Bahrain’s revolution started in mid-February 2011, when demonstrators, inspired by the revolutions of Tunisia and Egypt, started holding massive anti-regime protests.
Dozens of people have been killed in the regime’s crackdown and the security forces have arrested hundreds, including doctors and nurses accused of treating the injured protesters.
A report published by the Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry in November 2011 found that the Al Khalifa regime had used 'excessive force' in the campaign of suppression and accused Manama of torturing political activists, politicians, and protesters.
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