Bahrain on Monday decided to cut ties with Iran, a day after Saudi Arabia severed relations with the Islamic republic, the state-run Bahrain News Agency (BNA) reported.

Bahrain gave Iranian envoys 48 hours to leave the kingdom, expressing similar sentiments to that of Saudi Arabia when it accused Tehran of interfering in the affairs of regional countries and giving safe haven to terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda.

BNA said in an Arabic statement that “after the cowardly acts inflicted on our brethren at the Saudi embassy in Tehran and the consulate in Mashhad - which represent a flagrant violation of intentional treaties and grave sectarian policies - we cannot be silent about nor accept it [an Iranian diplomatic presence].”

It added: “Instead, this needs to be immediately counteracted decisively with full force, to prevent widespread unrest and to ensure stability of the region.”

On late Sunday, Saudi Arabia announced that it would ties with Iran after two of its diplomatic posts were attacked in the capital Tehran and the northeastern city of Mashhad.

Before Saudi Arabia and Bahrain cut ties, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) and the Arab League on Sunday expressed support for Riyadh’s ongoing fight against “terrorism.”

Isa Al-Hammadi, minister of Information Affairs of Bahrain, told Al Arabiya News Channel that Iran has allowed the attacks on the Saudi diplomatic posts.

The six-member regional bloc’s secretary general Abdullatif al-Zayani said that the GCC, which includes Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and Saudi, “stands side by side” with Riyadh, holding Iran as responsible.

The Gulf states - especially Bahrain - have long-accused Tehran of meddling in their affairs.

For more coverage of Saudi FM severing ties with Iran, click here.

Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:47 - GMT 06:47