“The presence of foreign powers in Bahrain did not resolve the crisis in the country but rather complicated the situation”

Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Akbar Salehi has deplored the interference of foreign powers in Bahrain, stressing that Tehran respects national sovereignty and integrity of the Persian Gulf state.

“The presence of foreign powers in Bahrain did not resolve the crisis in the country but rather complicated the situation,” Salehi told reporters in the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Abu Dhabi, on Sunday before he wrapped up his official day-long visit to the country.

“Iran has never meddled with internal affairs of neighboring countries and will never do so in the future. We also object to interference by other countries in the internal affairs of regional states,” he added, quoted in an IRNA report.

The top Iranian diplomat expressed optimism that regional consultations would prepare the ground for settling issues in crisis-hit Bahrain through negotiations.

Salehi arrived in the UAE capital on Sunday at the head of an Iranian delegation to hold talks with officials of the Gulf country on the latest developments in the region.

During his Abu Dhabi visit, the Iranian foreign minister exchanged views with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Rashid Al Makhtoum on recent regional events, including the ongoing uprising in Bahrain.