Iran expels top Bahraini diplomat in Tehran

Bahrain ordered the acting Iranian charge d’affaires to leave within 72 hours Thursday night and recalled its own ambassador over allegations the Islamic Republic sponsored “subversion” and funneled arms to militants in the island kingdom.

In today’s editorial, Al-Ayam said that Bahrain’s foreign policy has always been calm, wise, balanced and not hasty even at dark circumstances, and reaching this stage in the diplomatic relations with Iran means that the latter has crossed all red lines.

The kingdom is “evading its internal problems by passing the buck, instead of solving them” Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir Abdollahian told state television on Friday.

Bahrain frequently accuses predominantly Shiite Iran of meddling in its affairs.

“Tehran has not and will not interfere in Bahrain’s internal affairs and reacts accordingly to Bahrain’s actions”.

Al-Ayam asserted that there is compelling evidence that Iran is directly involved in everything evil orchestrated against the security and stability of Bahrain and the region, stressing that the step taken by Bahrain recently was necessary. Bahrain is part of a Saudi-led coalition targeting Shiite rebels in Yemen who are backed by Iran.

The cache included a tonne and a half of C4 explosives and other explosive material, as well as automatic rifles, pistols, and hand grenades, according to the ministry.

A statement by the Interior Ministry said: “After investigations, those arrested were found to have close links to terrorist elements in Iraq and Iran”, but the ministry did not disclose the number of those arrested or their affiliations.