Bahrain Revokes Citizenship of 69 Individuals Over Pro-Iranian Sentiment
On Monday, Bahrain announced that it had stripped 69 citizens of their nationality for allegedly promoting pro-Iranian sentiments online. This action highlights the government’s use of a contentious law that permits citizenship revocation based on security concerns.
The Interior Ministry stated that these individuals, including some family members of the defendants, were accused of “glorifying” Iran’s hostility and maintaining links with foreign organizations. The citizenship revocation is based on Article 10, Section 3 of the Nationality Law, which allows for the stripping of nationality from those deemed harmful to Bahrain’s interests or loyalty.
Interestingly, the individuals targeted and their families are largely of non-Bahraini origin, typically encompassing naturalized citizens rather than those born in Bahrain.
This decision follows an order from Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, who recently urged authorities to act against those believed to have “betrayed the state” or posed a threat to the nation’s security. This would also include evaluating whether specific individuals should maintain their citizenship.
In a related development, five individuals received life sentences while 25 others were given 10-year terms for espionage on behalf of Iran. Additionally, another 25 were sentenced for allegedly supporting Iran’s “acts of terrorism” within Bahrain.
The citizenship revocations happen amidst ongoing Iranian missile and drone strikes across the Gulf, with tensions rising particularly following attacks on U.S. military installations in Saudi Arabia. Officials indicated that these measures aim to safeguard national security by reducing pro-Iranian support and dismantling suspected foreign connections.
Bahrain’s relationship with Iran has been fraught for some time now. The nation has long accused Iran of backing extremist groups and creating unrest within its borders. Since the two countries severed diplomatic ties in 2016, the strained relations have only become more pronounced, especially with Bahrain hosting the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet, strategically positioned against Iranian threats.
Moreover, Bahrain is home to a sizable Iranian community, known as the Ajamu, representing hundreds of thousands of residents.
Authorities have connected this crackdown to a wider effort against what they label as influence operations backed by Iran. This includes a series of arrests involving individuals accused of disseminating videos and content that align with Iranian interests. Bahrain has also cited instances of discovering networks tied to Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps, allegedly gathering intelligence on sensitive sites in Saudi Arabia.
Across the Gulf region, similar actions have been observed, with numerous arrests made in nations like the United Arab Emirates for sharing information related to Iranian assaults. Governments have cited national security laws, warning that even sharing footage from these attacks could endanger public order or reveal classified information.
This move fits into a broader regional trend, where countries tighten citizenship protocols for security reasons. For instance, Kuwait has revoked citizenship rights for more than 70,000 individuals since 2024, claiming the action targets fraud.
However, this decision did not pass without criticism. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy voiced its concerns, labeling it the start of a “dangerous era of repression,” stressing that the decision lacked legal protections and the right to appeal.
