Raid on Isa Qassim residence to raise tensions in Bahrain

Foreign Ministry Spokesman Bahram Ghasemi said the Bahraini security forces’ raid on the home of kingdom’s Shia Muslim Sheikh Isa Qassim and the injury and arrest of dozens of protesters in Diraz on Tuesday was a miscalculated move on part of Bahrain's government, adding "intensifying crackdowns and adopting tribal and religious discriminations against Bahraini people will do nothing to help settle the crisis in that country and will only deviate the protests from their peaceful path.”

Ghasemi highlighted the prominent status of Sheikh Isa Qassim as a religious, spiritual and political figure among the Muslim population, and warned the Bahraini government of the consequences of any aggressive move against the Shia leader.

The Iranian diplomat further called on Bahrain to stop relying on support from certain foreign sides for opposing religious and political leaders as well as people’s legitimate demands, and instead to put its trust in its own people and adopt a political approach and pursue national dialogue for settling the country's crisis.