MANAMA: Bahrain has halted talks with Iran over natural gas imports after remarks by an Iranian official questioned the Gulf Arab state's sovereignty, a local paper reported on Wednesday in an unsourced report.
Ali Nateqnouri, head of public inspection at the office of Iran's supreme leader of the Islamic revolution, said in early February Iran had sovereignty over Bahrain, according to media reports.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa summoned Iran's ambassador to the kingdom to protest against the remarks, Bahrain's news agency reported on February 12.
"These remarks negatively affected relations between the two countries at all levels, including economic ties, and oil in particular," Bahraini newspaper Al Ayam quoted an unidentified source as saying.
The report said a delegation from Bahrain's National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) left Iran because of the remarks.
An official at NOGA declined to comment. Iran has repeatedly denied having claims over Bahrain's sovereignty.
"Our enemies want to create dispute among the regional countries by spreading false information," Iran's Foreign Ministry Hassan Qashqavi said, Iranian media reported on Wednesday. "We respect Bahrain's independency."
The two countries last year signed a memorandum of understanding over the import of 1 billion cubic feet of Iranian natural gas per day by Bahrain.
Bahrain is looking to increase its gas supply to meet rising domestic demand. It has also held talks with Gulf Arab neighbour Qatar on gas imports and is currently tendering the exploration of onshore gas at 20,000 feet below sea level.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
Ali Nateqnouri, head of public inspection at the office of Iran's supreme leader of the Islamic revolution, said in early February Iran had sovereignty over Bahrain, according to media reports.
Bahrain's Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed al-Khalifa summoned Iran's ambassador to the kingdom to protest against the remarks, Bahrain's news agency reported on February 12.
"These remarks negatively affected relations between the two countries at all levels, including economic ties, and oil in particular," Bahraini newspaper Al Ayam quoted an unidentified source as saying.
The report said a delegation from Bahrain's National Oil and Gas Authority (NOGA) left Iran because of the remarks.
An official at NOGA declined to comment. Iran has repeatedly denied having claims over Bahrain's sovereignty.
"Our enemies want to create dispute among the regional countries by spreading false information," Iran's Foreign Ministry Hassan Qashqavi said, Iranian media reported on Wednesday. "We respect Bahrain's independency."
The two countries last year signed a memorandum of understanding over the import of 1 billion cubic feet of Iranian natural gas per day by Bahrain.
Bahrain is looking to increase its gas supply to meet rising domestic demand. It has also held talks with Gulf Arab neighbour Qatar on gas imports and is currently tendering the exploration of onshore gas at 20,000 feet below sea level.
Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/
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