THE credibility of a major security conference talking place in Bahrain has been thrown in doubt after Iranian officials pulled out at the last minute.
Government delegations from 22 countries around the world, including defence ministers, national security advisers and foreign ministers, have gathered for the annual Manama Dialogue, which opened at the Ritz-Carlton Bahrain Hotel and Spa.
Iranian Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki who was expected to lead a delegation of top officials to the three-day event, confirmed the snub.
"The said International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) was notified at 10am that the minister would not be attending and that Iran would not be sending a delegation," said the institute's Press officer Kay Floyd.
She declined to comment further, but one official, on condition of anonymity, described Iran's decision as a "missed opportunity".
The decision was a sign of continued hostility between the US and Iran despite recent US claims that Iran does not have an active nuclear weapons programme.
There was no immediate report in Iran on the changed stance, but earlier yesterday, Iranian state radio had said that an Iranian representative would attend the Manama meeting - an indication Tehran had likely made the decision at the last moment.
The Iranian Embassy last night refused to comment on the developments.
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates is scheduled to address the conference today. The speech comes as Washington is trying to keep up international pressure on Iran despite a recent US intelligence report saying Tehran suspended its nuclear weapons programme in 2003.
Shortly after the release of the report, Mr Mottaki said the US would face more failure in its standoff with Iran over the nuclear issue if the US didn't alter its stance.
