Iran has condemned the latest bombing in Bahrain and denied any connection to it.
Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Hussien Amir Abdollahian told ISNA: “We severely condemn the recent terrorist attacks in Bahrain, and allegations that individuals linked to Iran have been arrested are false.”
On Tuesday July 28, a bomb exploded in the largely Shia city of Sitra in southern Manama, killing two police officers. Bahraini officials say the explosives resemble materials that were confiscated during an alleged smuggling attempt from Iran to Bahrain.
While emphatically denying any connection to the explosion, Amir Abdollahian said the Bahraini statement was an attempt to counter Iran’s recent efforts to improve regional relations by sending its foreign minister to neighbouring countries.
He went on to add” Unfortunately, the tribal behavior of some extremist elements within the government of Bahrain and their deliberate attempts to insult the beliefs of Bahraini Muslims have created a chasm between the government and its people.”
Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni king and court, while the majority of the population and the government opposition are Shia.
He went on to accuse the Bahraini government of “systematic human rights violations” and he urged the government to take a more constructive stance in order to achieve national reconciliation and avoid fomenting unrest.
Bahrain’s chief Shia opposition group, al-Wefaq, condemned the bombing and stressed that it is against any form of violence.
Ali Salman, the head of al-Wefaq, said this in a statement: “Such incidents have nothing to do with the peaceful [opposition] movement… that demands democratic change in Bahrain.”
