A top Iranian diplomat has been summoned over allegations that Tehran has spread false information about Bahrain.

Foreign Affairs Ministry has slammed continuing Iranian claims questioning its sovereignty and independence, following a meeting with Iranian Embassy charge d'affaires Mahdi Islami yesterday.

Ministry Regional and Gulf Co-operation Council Affairs Under-Secretary Hamad Alamer said the Persian state has promoted lies about Bahrain in the international media, which has caused division, sedition and incitement among citizens.

The meeting was held after Tehran spread a statement issued by opposition cleric Isa Qassim, who reportedly claimed Iranian diplomats had visited him to mediate a possible dialogue, in a move supported by the Bahraini government.

Qassim's words were strongly dismissed by Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, who took to Twitter on Sunday to condemn the cleric's acts and criticise Iran for supporting hearsay. Shaikh Khalid stressed that a national dialogue was the only way forward.

Unacceptable

"The Foreign Affairs Minister clearly stated that whatever happens in Bahrain is its internal issue, and any foreign interference is totally unacceptable," said Alamer.

"Bahrain never requested anyone to mediate in its internal affairs, as that contravenes its sovereignty.”

"We dismiss Iranian persistence to deliberately and wrongfully attribute false information with reference to Bahraini officials, and promote them in the media."

Alamer added the mediation allegations were refuted by the minister at the Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran in August and during a private meeting with the Iranian envoy in Manama on September 13.

Alamer urged Iran to adhere to international regulations on diplomatic relations, and the United Nations Charter.

"Iran should stop interfering in Bahrain's internal affairs, particularly incitement through their media, and through ties and contacts with specific groups in the Bahraini community," he added.

The international regulations reject and condemn any interference in the internal affairs of states in any form - either through direct or indirect intervention or through political, religious or media incitement including spreading fraud, lies, fabrications and confusion, Alamer concluded. – TradeArabia News Service