29-03-2024 01:15 AM Jerusalem Timing

Iran Expels Bahrain Envoy as ’Persona non Grata’

Iran Expels Bahrain Envoy as ’Persona non Grata’

The Islamic Republic of Iran has expelled a senior official from Bahrain’s embassy in Tehran in apparent retaliation after the Persian Gulf state did the same to its envoy in Manama.

Iranian flagThe Islamic Republic of Iran has expelled a senior official from Bahrain's embassy in Tehran in apparent retaliation after the Persian Gulf state did the same to its envoy in Manama.

"The number two official in Bahrain's embassy in Iran is persona non grata and Mr Bassam al-Dossari must leave Iran's territory within 72 hours," the official IRNA news agency quoted a foreign ministry statement as saying late Friday.

Bahrain on Thursday recalled its ambassador from Iran and ordered Tehran's envoy to leave within 72 hours, citing Iranian "interference" in its affairs.

The Persian Gulf kingdom of Bahrain, with a majority Shiite Muslim population ruled by a Sunni dynasty, has suffered unrest since a pro-democracy uprising started in 2011.

Iran has strongly rejected "the baseless accusations from Bahrain".

The kingdom is "evading its internal problems by passing the buck, instead of solving them" Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hussein Amir Abdollahian told state television on Friday.

"Tehran has not and will not interfere in Bahrain's internal affairs and reacts accordingly to Bahrain's actions."