Bahrain expels Iranian diplomat

Manama, 27 Apr – (ANA) - Bahrain has ordered the expulsion of a senior Iranian diplomat over alleged links to a Kuwaiti spy ring, state media reports.

The second secretary at the Iranian embassy, Hujatullah Rahmani, has been ordered to leave within 72 hours.

Last month Kuwait expelled three Iranian diplomats for alleged involvement in a spy ring.

The latest expulsion comes amid increasing tensions between Sunni-led Bahrain and predominantly Shia Iran.

Relations between Manama and Tehran worsened in March, after Bahrain invited troops from neighbouring Sunni states to help contain its pro-democracy uprising, led largely by the country's Shia majority.

In response to the expulsion, Iran's foreign ministry has said it reserves the right to a "reciprocal reaction". (ANA)

FA/ANA/27 April 2011-------