Bahrain's Ministry of Justice and Islamic Affairs said Thursday it would dissolve Wefaq and another group in Bahrain's toughest crackdown yet on dissidents who led an uprising to demand more say in the government.

"A clarification: Bahrain is not seeking to dissolve political societies, official statement was incorrect," Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa wrote in a Twitter message.

"It's a court case against violations committed by the societies ... In accordance with the constitution, elections will be held to fill seats vacated by Wefaq. All societies, including Wefaq, are encouraged to participate in elections and serve the people through Parliament," he said.

The minister did not elaborate but his comment appeared to contradict Justice Ministry statements accusing Wefaq, which won 18 seats in elections for the 40-seat Parliament last year, and the Islamic Action group, of trying to bring down the constitutional order and taking instructions from religious leaders.

The ministry said courts were expected to give a decision on the parties within one month and they would be dissolved immediately if the government's petition were upheld.

US State Department spokesman Mark Toner said Thursday that Washington was concerned by the move to disband Wefaq and urged the authorities to reverse the decision. Bahrain's government has good relations with the United States. The country hosts the US Fifth Fleet.

Last month the government crushed weeks of protests, deploying security forces throughout the capital and calling in troops from Gulf neighbors.

Iran has called on the UN Security Council to protect opposition activists in Bahrain, while the Gulf states have accused Tehran of interference in Arab affairs.