Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir Abdollahian warned against the escalation of unrests in Bahrain, FNA reported.

Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Arab and African Affairs Hussein Amir Abdollahian warned against the escalation of unrests in Bahrain, and urged the al-Khalifa regime to respect people’s demands and start genuin talks with protestors.

The deputy foreign minister cautioned that Manama's tough treatment and heavy handed tactics against protests would escalate tensions in the country.

"Extremism has today pushed countries like Bahrain towards instability and more surprising is that certain governmental actors have led the country's atmosphere towards insecurity knowingly or unknowingly through violent approaches," Amir Abdollahian said on Tuesday.

"These issues are not beneficial to any side in Bahrain or any other country in the region," he added.

Amir Abdollahian underlined the importance of using democratic means, including elections and partnership of all groups, in deciding their country's fate, and said, "We have always stated about Bahrain and Syria that national and effective talks between the government and dissidents play an important role in the future of these countries and the end of their current problems."

Since mid-February 2011, thousands of anti-regime protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

Scores of Bahrainis have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the ongoing crackdown on peaceful demonstrations.

In a recent development on Monday, security forces in Bahrain attacked pro-democracy protesters during a fresh demonstration against the ruling Al Khalifa regime in the Persian Gulf country.

Regime forces fired tear gas to disperse the demonstrators on Sitra Island, Northeast of the capital, Manama.

The demonstration comes as people in Bahrain have stepped up their anti-regime protests in recent days to mark the anniversary of their February 14 revolution against the Al Khalifa regime amid heavy-handed crackdown on rallies.

Demonstrators are seeking the downfall of the regime and establishment of a democratically-elected government.

They also want the release of the main opposition leader, Sheikh Ali Salman, and other political prisoners. Salman has been under arrest since December last year on charges of inciting regime change. He denies the charges.

Last week, Amnesty International called on Bahraini officials to observe the citizens’ rights to freedom of expression and assembly.