Bahrain’s
chamber of commerce urged members to boycott Iranian goods and suspend
financial transactions with Tehran in retaliation for “flagrant interference”
in the kingdom’s affairs, state media said.
The
Gulf island has accused Iran of meddling in domestic matters and stoking the
political unrest that has gripped Bahrain in recent weeks.
“A
call has gone out today to boycott Iranian goods, in retaliation to Tehran’s
flagrant interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs and non-respect of its
independence,” state-run news agency BNA said.
“[The
chamber] also urged all GCC nationals to follow suit and boycott Iranian
merchants.”
Political
relations between the two countries have deteriorated in the wake of a
government crackdown on pro-reform activists in Bahrain and the arrival of
troops from Saudi Arabia and the UAE to quell protests.
Iran, which once claimed sovereignty over Bahrain,
complained to the United Nations following the arrests of hundreds of activists
and deaths of some in police custody.
Bahrain,
a US ally, last month expelled an Iranian diplomat for alleged links to a spy
ring in neighbouring Gulf state Kuwait.
The
chamber called on all Bahraini traders, businessmen and companies to boycott
Iranian goods and stop import-export dealings with Iranian counterparts, said
the news agency.
“It
urged an end to all financial and banking transactions with Iranian banks and
financial institutions,” the statement said. “It stressed the need for
solidarity with Bahrain and the Gulf countries against incessant blatant and
provocative Iranian interference.”
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