Bahrain protests Khamenei statements, summons Iranian envoy

Bahrain on Sunday summoned an Iranian envoy to express its rejection of the recent statements made by Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

During the meeting with Iranian Charge d'Affaires to Bahrain Mohammad Reza Babaei, the foreign ministry's under-secretary Abdulla Abdullatif said the statements "are not only unacceptable but also a blatant interference in the internal affairs of the Kingdom of Bahrain".

"Such statements disregard the UN, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation and international laws, which emphasise respect for the sovereignty of all countries and the principles of independence," Xinhua quoted the ministry as saying.

It stressed the need to urgently convey this protest to Iranians officials, adding that Bahrain was keen to develop positive relations and constructively cooperate with all countries of the world.

On Saturday, Iran's supreme leader Khamenei said "the people of Yemen, Bahrain and Palestine are oppressed and Iran will support them with all its strength."