Iran recognises Bahrain as an independent Arab state and has no ownership claims towards the country, visiting Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki said yesterday.

He insisted that Iran was a peaceful nation that had never invaded any of its neighbours and was only interested in strengthening political and economic ties in the Gulf.

Mr Mottaki was speaking at a Press conference at the Foreign Ministry in Manama, following a meeting with Foreign Minister Shaikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa.

He made the statement after Hussain Shariatmadari, adviser to Iran's supreme leader, claimed in one of the country's newspapers that Bahrain was part of Iran. The managing editor of Kayhan claimed last Monday that the main demand of Bahrainis was the return of the "province" of Bahrain to its motherland.

Akhbar Al Khaleej Editor-in-Chief Anwar Abdul Rahman refuted Shariatmadari's allegations saying that Iran was unable to differentiate between revolutionary Iran and Iran the state. These claims will reflect negatively on the country, he added.

PHOTO CAPTION

Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki, left, smiles and Bahraini Foreign Minister Sheik Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, checks the time during a press conference Saturday, July 14, 2007, in Manama, Bahrain. (AP)

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