Iran dismisses interference allegations by Bahrain

A senior Iranian official has categorically rejected accusations by Bahraini officials of Iran's interference in the domestic affairs of the Persian Gulf kingdom, Press TV reported.

In an interview with Mehr news agency on Friday, Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hossein Amir-Abdollahian called unrest in Bahrain "a popular uprising" against the ruling Al Khalifa regime and said the allegations against Iran were "an insult to the wise Bahraini nation."

The people of Bahrain have "for more than two years been patiently demanding civil rights through democratic and peaceful means but have instead faced murder, suppression, expulsion from their jobs and threats," Amir-Abdollahian said.

Amir-Abdollahian accused Bahraini authorities of "flagrant violations of human rights" and "employing security and military means to silence the people" and said the unrest in the kingdom can only be handled diplomatically and resolved through negotiations.

"The Islamic Republic of Iran supports such negotiations, and we hope that by respecting the public's democratic demands the Bahraini government prepares the ground for talks."

Pro-reform uprising erupted in the small Gulf kingdom in February 2011.

Bahrain's Shiite majority has since been protesting to demand political reform and greater freedoms from the Sunni monarchy.