Bahrain says its ambassador to Iran has returned to his post there, 17 months after he was called home.

Ambassador Rashid al-Dossary was withdrawn in protest over Iranian criticism of Bahrain's crackdown on anti-government protests.

Bahrain's Information Affairs Authority said Monday the ambassador returned to Tehran on Saturday. The embassy has continued operating since he left in March 2011.

Bahrain's majority Shiites, emboldened by Arab Spring protests elsewhere, launched an uprising more than 17 months ago seeking to limit the wide-ranging powers of the ruling Sunni dynasty.

Bahrain's rulers and their patron, Saudi Arabia, accuse Iran of encouraging the protests. Tehran denies that.

At least 50 people have been killed in the unrest in the strategic island nation, which is home to the U.S. Navy's 5th Fleet.