US and Iran Criticize Arrest of Bahrain's Shia Leader; Bahrain Responds

Iran and the United States condemned the arrest of Sheikh Ali Salman, the Secretary-General of the Bahrain's Al-Wefaq Society and a Shia cleric in the country. The Bahraini government, in response, strongly criticized the 'blatant interference' of the Islamic Republic in 'internal affairs' of the country. Jeff Rasky, a spokesperson for the US State Department, expressed on Wednesday, January 1, the 'deep concern' of the United States over the imprisonment of the 'Bahraini opposition leader' and the 'increased tensions' following this action. According to AFP, Mr. Rasky added that the US 'firmly' demands the 'implementation of domestic laws and international obligations' of the Bahraini government regarding the handling of Sheikh Ali Salman’s situation and similar cases, while urging all parties in Bahrain to maintain their calm. In Iran, Mohammad Javad Zarif, the Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic, called for the 'immediate release' of the Secretary-General of the Al-Wefaq Society. As reported by Mehr News Agency, Mr. Zarif stated that 'violent confrontations with respected leaders of the people will increase risks and threats' and added that 'the international reactions of religious and spiritual communities' to the arrest of Sheikh Ali Salman indicate that 'he is highly respected and his moderate approach and that of the Al-Wefaq Society has popular and international acceptance.' The Iranian Foreign Minister warned that the arrest of this Shia cleric in Bahrain 'will complicate the situation and increase risks and threats.' Mehr also reported that on Wednesday, Mohammad Javad Zarif, in contact with several foreign ministers of regional countries, urged them to 'work towards the common responsibility to support moderation and peaceful political activity in the current sensitive regional conditions' for the release of Sheikh Ali Salman. The report did not mention which countries Zarif spoke with. However, in a reciprocal reaction from Bahrain, the country's Foreign Ministry condemned 'Iran's blatant interference in its internal affairs,' stating that such an issue is 'unacceptable and irresponsible.' The official Bahrain News Agency quoted a statement from the Foreign Ministry that 'Iran's interference in Bahrain's internal affairs contradicts the principles of the United Nations, international law, and the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.' The Bahraini Foreign Ministry called on the Islamic Republic of Iran to respect the 'national sovereignty and independence' of the country and to refrain from 'blatant interference in Bahrain's internal affairs.' The country also urged the Islamic Republic to 'be mindful of the blatant violations of human rights and freedom of expression of the Muslim people of Iran.' The Bahraini government and members of the Arab Gulf Cooperation Council have long accused the Islamic Republic of 'interfering in Bahrain's internal affairs' by supporting the Shia population of the country. Bahrain arrested Sheikh Ali Salman, the Secretary-General of the Al-Wefaq Party, on Sunday, January 1. He has been accused of 'overthrowing through the spread of violence.' Bahrain is an Arab country in the southern waters of the Persian Gulf with a Shia majority, governed by a Sunni monarchy.