UNITED NATIONS: Eleven Middle East and North African countries are accusing Iran of sponsoring "terrorism" and constantly interfering in the internal affairs of Arab nations, sparking tension and instability in the region.

In a letter to the U.N. General Assembly circulated Monday, the 11 countries cited Iran's support for Shiite Houthi rebels in Yemen and the Shiite Hezbollah group in Lebanon which has sent fighters to support the Syrian government They also accused Iran of supporting "terrorist groups and cells" in Bahrain, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and elsewhere.

They reiterated a statement by Bahrain's foreign minister in September that they only way forward is for Iran "to comprehensively change its foreign policies and end hostilities."

The letter, organized by the United Arab Emirates, was signed by Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, among others.