Bahrain has recalled its ambassador to Iran in protest against Tehran’s support for a pro-democracy movement in the Persian Gulf kingdom.

Manama recalled its ambassador for consultation, the official Bahrain News Agency reported on Saturday.

According to reports, Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs criticized “Iranian interference in Bahrain's internal affairs.”

Earlier in the month, Bahrain also summoned Iran’s ambassador to Manama over similar claims.

The monarchy has repeatedly accused Iran of meddling in its internal affairs. Iran has strongly denied any manner of interference stating that it only supports attempts to address human rights violations in the tiny Persian Gulf state.

Manama's move came despite international criticism on numerous occasions by prominent human rights organizations such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch for state crackdown on pro-democracy protests, including detention of activists, violent methods to disperse demonstrators, and a media blackout on rallies.

Since anti-regime protests began in mid-February 2011, thousands of protesters have held numerous demonstrations on the streets of Bahrain, calling for the Al Khalifa family to relinquish power.

Many people have been killed and hundreds of others injured and arrested in the crackdown on peaceful protests ever since.