"A diplomatic crisis has developed between Iran and Bahrain, following a statement by an adviser to Iran's Spiritual Leader 'Ali Khamanei, according to which Bahrain is an Iranian province.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa on Wednesday summoned Iran's charge d’affairs to explain his country's official stand on an editorial written by Hussein Shari'atmadari. The latter, apart from his position at the Spiritual Leader's office, is also managing editor of the Iranian official daily Keyhan.
In his editorial Shari'atmadari claimed the main demand of the Bahraini people was the return of the "Bahraini Province" to its motherland, Iran. Shari'atmadari also said Bahrain was separated from Iran following "an illegal agreement between the Iranian shah and the governments of the United States and Britain."
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General 'Abd A-Rahman Al 'Atiyya strongly condemned the editorial. Such statements targeted the sovereignty of GCC states, 'Atiyya said.
Bahrain, a member of the GCC, is a small island state located in the Persian Gulf. With just over 700,000 civilians living in the Kingdom, Bahrain is facing internal discontent from its large Shi'ite minority, which amounts to approximately 70 percent of its entire population.
In March 2007 an Iranian dissident diplomat revealed details of the recruitment and training in Iran of citizens from the Persian Gulf states. 'Adil Al-Asadi was an adviser to Iran's foreign minister and was later posted to Dubai as the Iranian consul.
According to Al-Asadi, after receiving military training in Iran, these mostly Shi'ite citizens formed dormant cells in the Persian Gulf states, where they now await Iranian orders.
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Media Line the strong reaction of the ministry to the comments.
Bahrain’s Shoura Council, a consultative council which constitutes part of the legislature, expressed its “distress and condemnation” of what it called irresponsible comments. The council called on Iran to respect the good neighborly relations between Bahrain and Iran and between the two peoples.
A council statement also called on Bahraini officials to clarify the comments through official channels.
Iran must stop issuing such statements, which will only cause more tension in the region and serve the enemies of the Arab and Islamic nations, the statement said."
The Media Line
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khalid Bin Ahmad Al Khalifa on Wednesday summoned Iran's charge d’affairs to explain his country's official stand on an editorial written by Hussein Shari'atmadari. The latter, apart from his position at the Spiritual Leader's office, is also managing editor of the Iranian official daily Keyhan.
In his editorial Shari'atmadari claimed the main demand of the Bahraini people was the return of the "Bahraini Province" to its motherland, Iran. Shari'atmadari also said Bahrain was separated from Iran following "an illegal agreement between the Iranian shah and the governments of the United States and Britain."
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Secretary-General 'Abd A-Rahman Al 'Atiyya strongly condemned the editorial. Such statements targeted the sovereignty of GCC states, 'Atiyya said.
Bahrain, a member of the GCC, is a small island state located in the Persian Gulf. With just over 700,000 civilians living in the Kingdom, Bahrain is facing internal discontent from its large Shi'ite minority, which amounts to approximately 70 percent of its entire population.
In March 2007 an Iranian dissident diplomat revealed details of the recruitment and training in Iran of citizens from the Persian Gulf states. 'Adil Al-Asadi was an adviser to Iran's foreign minister and was later posted to Dubai as the Iranian consul.
According to Al-Asadi, after receiving military training in Iran, these mostly Shi'ite citizens formed dormant cells in the Persian Gulf states, where they now await Iranian orders.
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry confirmed to The Media Line the strong reaction of the ministry to the comments.
Bahrain’s Shoura Council, a consultative council which constitutes part of the legislature, expressed its “distress and condemnation” of what it called irresponsible comments. The council called on Iran to respect the good neighborly relations between Bahrain and Iran and between the two peoples.
A council statement also called on Bahraini officials to clarify the comments through official channels.
Iran must stop issuing such statements, which will only cause more tension in the region and serve the enemies of the Arab and Islamic nations, the statement said."
The Media Line
Comment