Bahrain attempting regional disruption with claims: Afkham

Bahrain is using repetitive “baseless accusations” to create tensions in the region, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Marzieh Afkham says.

Afkham made the remarks in reaction to Manama’s claims that Iran is meddling in its internal affairs, IRNA reported on Sunday.

“Such unconstructive methods will not disrupt Iran’s serious will and determination for continuity and persistence in a responsible… regional policy against threats such as extremism and terrorism,” Afkham said.

Tensions have been running high between Tehran and Manama recently.

On Saturday, Bahrain recalled its ambassador to Iran in protest against Tehran’s support for a pro-democracy movement in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

Earlier in the month, Bahrain also summoned Iran’s ambassador to Manama over similar claims.

The monarchy has repeatedly accused Iran of interfering in its internal affairs. Iran has strongly denied any such action, stating that it only supports efforts to address human rights violations in the tiny Persian Gulf state.

Manama has drawn international criticism on multiple occasions from prominent human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for its crackdown on pro-democracy protests, including detention of activists, violent methods to disperse demonstrators, and a media blackout on rallies.

Thousands of protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets since anti-regime movement began in mid-February 2011.

Large numbers of people have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the crackdown on peaceful protests ever since.