Bahrain’s “Threadbare” Charges Rejected

Iran rejected another bid by Bahrain’s security officials to attribute the country’s internal challenges to Iran, saying it was a “futile and threadbare” method to cover up Manama’s domestic problems.

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Qasemi on Friday dismissed an allegation leveled by Bahrain’s Public Security Chief Major General Tariq Al Hassan, who claimed on Thursday that Bahraini forces had foiled a terror operation with links to Iran after discovering a weapon depot in the northeastern village of Dair. “The Bahraini government every so often makes announcements about the arrest of a number of the country’s nationals under the pretext of the fight against terrorist cells and claims that they had been in contact with the Islamic Republic,” Qasemi was quoted as saying by Press TV. “The international community knows well that the six-year domestic crisis in Bahrain is the result of a security approach by the [Bahraini] government toward civil and peaceful protests by a majority of the country’s people.” Qasemi urged Manama to avoid blaming others and leveling accusations against its neighboring countries, which is an outdated and inefficient policy.