Khamenei says Iran has not intervened in Bahrain

During a speech marking the end of Ramadan, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei discussed regional events and Iran’s position with its neighboring countries.

Speaking to officials of the government July 6, Khamenei discussed the country’s position on Bahrain. “The Islamic Republic of Iran has not interfered in Bahrain,” Khamenei said. “But if there is political awareness and wisdom, they should not allow a political conflict to turn into a civil war, and they should not turn the people against one another.”

Khamenei’s statement follows a rare statement in June by Qasem Soleimani, the head of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps Quds Force, against the rulers of Bahrain. Soleimani considered that it would be a “red line” if Bahrain follows through on a decision to revoke the citizenship of the country’s top Shiite cleric, Ayatollah Sheikh Isa Qassim, and send forces into his home. A number of other high-ranking military and religious figures also echoed Soleimani’s statement and condemned Bahrain for the decision.

This is not the first time that Khamenei has denied Iran’s military interference in Bahrain. In 2012, just one year after the anti-government protests began in the Persian Gulf country, Khamenei said he hoped “the people of Bahrain would be victorious.” However, Khamenei said claims by Bahrain’s government that the protesters are linked to Iran were a lie, saying, “Wherever Iran interferes, it will directly state it.” Khamenei said that an example of Iran's interference was its military help supporting those fighting Israel and that Iran will continue to support anyone who fights Israel. He said that had Iran intervened militarily in Bahrain, the situation would have been different.