Iran condemns Bahrain's move to strip senior cleric's citizenship

The foreign ministry also denounced the Bahraini regime’s intensification of its security approach toward religious and national leaders, opposition to religious beliefs and principles, and misappropriation of religious assets and funds of the Bahraini people.

It added that such measures would fade away any hope of reformation in Bahrain through dialog and peaceful means.

The foreign ministry called on the Al Khalifah regime to end the ongoing crisis in the country by stopping its illegal behavior, avoiding the destruction of all the bridges for communication with the people and moderate leaders of the country, and by accepting the realities of the country, and holding serious national dialog.”

Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced in a statement on Monday the country's top Shiite cleric was stripped of his citizenship.

'Isa Ahmed Qassim has been stripped of his Bahraini citizenship,' Bahrain state news agency cited the ministry’s statement, referring to the country's most senior Shiite Muslim cleric in Bahrain.

The latest move by the Bahrain regime against the country’s main opposition figures came as the Al-Khalifah regime is exerting mounting pressure on the opposition.

Opposition members feel the government is willing to accelerate its crackdown on dissent because it believes it will only face minimal censure through statements of concern in the US and Europe. Both the US and UK have large naval bases in Bahrain.

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