Iran condemns attacks on Bahraini opposition leaders

TEHRAN,June 24(MNA) – The Iranian Foreign Ministry on Saturday expressed deep concern over recent attacks on a number of Bahraini opposition leaders and condemned the continuation of violent and repressive measures taken by the government to crack down on peaceful protests. Bahrain’s main opposition group Al-Wefaq has said that its leader was injured when police opened fire on a protest in Bahrain’s capital, the Financial Times reported on Saturday. Al-Wefaq said its secretary general, Sheikh Ali Salman, was one of several prominent politicians attacked by tear gas canisters and rubber bullets as they led a march on Friday on the outskirts of the capital Manama. The Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Ramin Mehmanparast expressed hope that the Bahraini government would change its approach toward peaceful protests and respond to the people’s legitimate demands. In addition, he advised Bahraini officials to prepare the ground for serious dialogue with the opposition through taking confidence-building measures and not to complicate matters further through violating human rights.