Bahrain: Iran a stabilizing element in the Middle East

Amid US efforts to marshal worldwide pressure against Iran, and among international worries over the Iranian project, Bahrain says Tehran does not pose a threat to stability in the Middle East.

"Contrary to Western contentions, we do not see Iran as a destabilizing element in the region," said Bahraini Prime Minister, Sheikh Khalifa Bin Salman al-Khalifa Hossein Amir, on Wednesday.

He added that the Islamic Republic's stability guarantees peace and security in the region.

"The 'Iranophobia' policy -currently pursued by the US and European countries- will get us no where," he added.

Salman al-Khalifa was referring to the recently-introduced plans in the US congress, which support increased economic sanctions against Iran in case the nuclear talks fail.

For months, US officials have warned to tighten the leash on key Iranian industries and to choke off the country's energy sector.

Iran is the world's fourth-largest oil exporter but, according to US estimates, the country relies on gasoline imports to meet 40 percent of its domestic demand.

Salman al-Khalifa, who made the remarks in a meeting with Iran's Ambassador to Bahrain Hossein Amir-Abdollahian, said his country has always had high regard for Iran and its contributions to regional stability.

The Bahraini premier also praised Iran's cooperation in addressing international concern over its enrichment activity.

"Each and every one of the regional countries is entitled to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes," he said, adding that Middle Eastern countries should be proud of the series of technological breakthroughs in Iran.