Tehran, March 17: Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has, in discussions with Mideast officials, warned against the consequences of foreign military invasion of Bahrain.
Salehi held separate telephone conversations with Syrian Foreign Minister Walid al-Muallem, Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshyar Zebari and Kuwaiti Deputy Prime Minister Muhammad al-Sabah over the recent developments in Bahrain on Wednesday, IRNA reported.
Given the critical situation in the country, the top Iranian official called for continued consultations between regional countries to prevent a humanitarian crisis in the Persian Gulf kingdom.
He also expressed concern over foreign military invasion of Bahrain and warned against the repercussions of such meddling as well as the ongoing critical situation in the country.
On Tuesday, Salehi also wrote letters to the United Nations, the Organization of Islamic Conference and the Arab League regarding the situation in crisis-hit Bahrain.
The Iranian minister condemned Bahrain’s severe crackdown on anti-government protesters and the foreign military invasion of the country, calling on the UN to take immediate measures to stop the incursion.
To help the Bahraini government crush the anti-government protests, Saudi Arabia has deployed more than 1,000 troops to the country at the request of Manama.
In a similar move, the UAE has dispatched around 500 police forces to the oil-rich Persian Gulf monarchy.
Bahrain’s government is continuing its military crackdown on anti-government protesters who demand the overthrow of the al-Khalifa dynasty on top of constitutional reforms.
Several Bahrainis have lost their lives so far and hundreds of others have sustained injuries following the violent crackdown on anti-government protesters.
On Wednesday, Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad held the US accountable for the Saudi-led invasion of Bahrain.
“Regional nations hold the US government accountable for such a heinous behavior,” President Ahmadinejad said.
“The US seeks to save the Zionist regime (Israel) and suppress popular uprisings. So, it supports certain governments,” the Iranian chief executive added.
Bahrain and Saudi Arabia are both US allies in the Persian Gulf region and the Middle East.
Bahrain is also home to the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet.
——–Agencies