TEHRAN -- Iran is an important country that greatly influences regional security and stability, a top Bahraini military commander said on Tuesday.

Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, commander-in-chief of the Bahrain Defense Force, made the remarks in a meeting with Iranian ambassador to Bahrain Hossein Amir Abdollahian.
The two sides discussed Tehran-Manama relations and called for an expansion in cooperation especially in military spheres.
They said Iran and Bahrain enjoy historical relationship and religious, cultural, social, and familial bonds link them together.
The Bahraini commander said a stable and secure Iran means stability and security in Bahrain and the whole region.
Hamad Al-Khalifa also pointed to certain foreign countries’ interferences in Iran’s internal affairs following the June presidential election and condemned these countries for their intervention in other nations’ internal affairs.
He went on to say that all countries including Iran have the right to use nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.
Abdollahian, for his part, said that Iran welcomes cooperation with Bahrain in all areas