Bahrain Recalls Ambassador to Tehran

Expels Iranian Charge d’Affaires

Bahraini government today recalled its ambassador to Tehran, accusing Iran of sponsoring “subversion” and arming local Shia fighters. Bahrain also ordered Iranian charge d’affairs to leave the island kingdom within 72 hours. Allegations against Iran included assisting anti-government groups in the smuggling of weapons and explosives into the country and training their members.

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UPDATE: Iran has expelled the number two official in Bahraini embassy in Tehran in retaliation of Bahrain’s action to expel Iranian envoy in Manama and recall its ambassador from Tehran. Iran also denied Bahrain’s accusation of interference in internal affairs of the Island kingdom.

Meanwhile, Bahrain took its complaint to the UN Security Council today. BNA news agency quoted Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa telling the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon that “Iran has chosen the path of escalation in an attempt to exert control over its neighbors by continuing to interfere in internal affairs” of neighboring countries. (AFP, 3 October)   

Bahrain Accuses Iran Embassy of Smuggling Weapons

The Iranian Embassy in Manama has denied a report that one of its staff members was involved in smuggling weapons in Bahrain. Al Ayam daily had earlier reported that an Iranian embassy staff member was detained by Bahraini security forces while trying to smuggle weapons and communication gears out of Salmaniya Hospital in the capital city Manama. The newspaper quoting security forces said some employees of the hospital were part of the smuggling network, apparently bringing in weapons to the hospital stored in imported medical equipment boxes. The Iranian embassy said it had sent a letter to the newspaper denying the allegations, but the letter has not been published yet. The embassy did not disclose the name of its staff member and his position. It was not clear if the staff member has been freed because of his diplomatic immunity.

Growing Tension in Iran-Bahrain Relations

Iran today expelled a Bahraini diplomat stationed in Tehran after Bahrain took similar action against an Iranian diplomat posted in Manama. The diplomatic row is the latest developments in the worsening relations between the two countries. The king of Bahrain has accused Iran of being the instigator of the Shia uprising in his country, while senior Iranian leaders have harshly criticized the Bahraini government’s crackdown on peaceful protests by its people and the Saudi and UAE intervention in Bahraini affairs.