(MENAFN- Kuwait News Agency (KUNA)) Bahrain has recalled its ambassador to Iran for consultations, as Iranian officials continued their "hostile" statements against the Kingdom, according to an official statement by Manama late on Saturday.
The Bahraini action came in prelude of an announcement made jointly by the counter-terrorism operation and security authorities in the Kingdom of disrupting an attempt to smuggle high-grade explosives, automatic weapons and ammunition into the Kingdom.
A statement, carried by the Bahrain News Agency (BNA), said that the Kingdom "strongly condemns the continued hostile statements made by officials of the Islamic Republic of Iran towards the Kingdom without the slightest consideration for the principles of good neighborliness or compliance with international laws, norms, the Charter of the United Nations and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, which all stress preventing and rejecting all forms of interference in the internal affairs of States." It added that Manama "affirms that the continuation of deliberate provocative statements made by Iranian officials at all levels and their interventions to support subversion and sedition only reflects a clear hostile stance." The statements also revealed "clearly the true strategy of intervention in the affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain aiming to stir up unrest and spread tensions in the region, instead of engaging in a positive role in finding ways to strengthen security and stability in the region as well as aiding in reaching solutions and treatments for the challenges and threats facing the region; mainly terrorism in all its forms and manifestations." Manama stressed that it will take "all necessary measures and follows all ways guarantying the strengthening of security and safety of its people."
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry expressed hope that "sophisticated normal relations between the two countries will prevail based on the principles of good neighborliness, mutual respect and non-interference in internal affairs and adherence to the rules of international relations between independent and sovereign states." Meanwhile, the interior ministry, in a press release, said that the country's Coast Guard, in coordination with the Police Aviation Unit and Bahrain Royal Naval Force, intercepted on July 15 a vessel heading towards the country after meeting another boat just outside the Kingdom's territorial waters.
Two Bahraini suspects onboard were arrested, as initial inquiries showed that one of them received military training in Iran during August 2013, it said.
Authorities have said the training included the manufacturing and use of explosive ordinance and improvised explosive devices, as well as firearms training at an Iranian Revolutionary Guards' camp.
The ministry said the two arrestees attempted to dispose the materials they received off the coast of Bahrain; however they were later recovered by the Bahraini Coast Guard and were found to contain a lethal mix of materials, including 43.8 kg of the powerful explosive C4, eight automatic assault rifles (Kalashnikov), 32 Kalashnikov magazines, ammunition and detonators.
The two suspects have admitted receiving the shipment from Iranian handlers outside Bahrain's territorial waters, it noted.
Meanwhile, Arab Parliament Speaker Ahmad Al-Jarwan condemned what he called "flagrant" Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain and other Arab countries.
In a statement, Al-Jarwan strongly denounced the provocative statements which were made by the Iranian leadership during Eid Al-Fitr, saying that they represent a blatant trespass on Bahrain's sovereignty and internal affairs and a violation of the internal law and countries' independence and sovereignty.
"The Arab Parliament expresses the dissatisfaction of all Arabs with the Iranian provocations and their rejection of sectarian and takfiri-tainted ideologies," he said.
The Speaker urged Iran to stop such provocative statements and blatant interference, which reflected "ill" intentions and contravene the principles of rapprochement, regional partnership and good neighborliness.
He hailed efforts of the Bahraini interior ministry in foiling the smuggling attempt, condemning the terrorist groups plotting to subvert the Kingdom's security and stability and fuel sectarian strife with the support of neighboring countries.
Speaker Al-Jarwan urged the international community to pressure Iran to commit to non-interference in the internal Arab affairs and stop aiding and abetting parties seeking to subvert the security and stability of Arab countries. (end)
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