Manama: Bahrain has condemned a statement by a senior Iranian official who called for the "Islamisation of the country."
"We strongly condemn the statement made by Ahmad Jannati, Secretary of the Council of Guardians in his Friday sermon at Tehran University on July 8," the foreign ministry said.
The statement was beyond appropriate manners and norms and was full of hostile terms against the Kingdom of Bahrain. This confirms that his country does not respect good neighbourliness standards and does not uphold the principle of non-interference in the domestic affairs of other countries."
The ministry said that the statement violated international laws and legitimacy and reflected the insistence of Iran's senior leaders and officials to interfere in Bahrain's internal issues in particular.
The Iranian government assumes the responsibility of Jannati's allegations, the statement said.
"Bahrain rejects totally the allegations and the illegal and illegitimate claims that constitute a violation of its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity and are an unacceptable breach of Islamic values, good neighbourliness, the principles of the United Nations Charter and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation as well as international legitimacy," the ministry said.
"Ahmad Jannati should have focused on solving problems in his own country rather than refer to others and incite sedition that would undermine security and stability in the region."
In his sermon, Jannati, a hardline politician and a founder of Haghani School, one of the most influential religious schools in Iran, criticised the national dialogue in Bahrain.
The talks are bringing together more than 300 people from the political parties, NGOs, the media, the government, the parliament, the municipal councils, trade unions, business community and women's rights groups, as well as religious and social figures.
The dialogue held three times a week since early July addresses political, social, economic and rights themes, and is meant to help overcome the worst political turmoil and social unrest in the country's modern history.
