Bahrain alleges Iranian involvement in 'terrorist' pipeline explosion

Bahrain accuses Iran of involvement in an oil pipeline blast that has caused its closure and the suspension of oil exports to the kingdom from Saudi Arabia.

MENA

2 min read

The New Arab

12 November, 2017

Bahrain has long accused Iran of supporting anti-government activity [AFP]

Bahrain has accused Iran of being involved in the explosion of a main oil pipeline on Friday, calling the attack an act of "terrorist" sabotage.

Bahrain's Sunni rulers, who are closely aligned to Saudi Arabia, have grappled since 2011 with uprisings by the country's Shia majority.

"The incident was an act of sabotage and a dangerous act of terrorism aimed at harming the higher interests of the nation and the safety of the people," the country's Interior Ministry said in an online statement.

"Terrorist acts witnessed by the country in the recent period are carried out through direct contacts and instructions from Iran," it quoted Interior Minister Sheikh Rashid bin Abdullah al-Khalifa as saying.

The blast at the pipeline near Buri village caused an outbreak of fire, which authorities say they have now brought under control.

The country's state owned Bahrain Petroleum Company (Bapco) closed the pipeline after the attack, with Saudi Arabia also announcing that oil exports to Bahrain had been suspended while security measures are stepped up.

Since 2011, Bahrain has experienced waves of anti-government protests, with activists accusing the country's authorities of numerous human rights abuses.

The riots have also been accompanied by shootings and bomb attacks in and around the capital Manama.

Bahrain has long accused Iran of supporting anti-government activists and has recently arrested several individuals allegedly involved in Iran-linked terror cells.

It has also jailed numerous local activists, journalists and clerics and made a number of Bahraini citizens stateless due to alleged collusion with Tehran.

Iran denies involvement in Bahrain's unrest.