Arabic version: البحرين تسحب الجنسية من 69 شخصًا يُزعم دعمهم لإيران

Bahrain has stripped 69 people of their citizenship, accusing them of supporting Iranian attacks against the country. The Ministry of Interior announced this decision on Monday, stating that the individuals, some of whom are related, were deemed to have sympathized with Iran and colluded with foreign entities. This action follows Iranian strikes on facilities in Bahrain as part of the broader conflict involving Israel and the United States.

According to Al Jazeera, the directive issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa indicated that all 69 individuals were “of non-Bahraini origin.” Under Bahraini law, a person can be stripped of citizenship if they are deemed to have caused harm to the country or shown disloyalty.

The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy criticized the move, labeling it as “dangerous” and a violation of international law. The organization noted that the individuals had not been publicly identified, and it remains unclear whether they have been arrested or if they are currently in Bahrain or hold another nationality.

Tensions escalated when Iran began targeting Gulf nations on February 28, shortly after the U.S. and Israel initiated their military campaign against Iran. Tehran has accused these countries of allowing U.S. strikes to launch from their territories. Following significant damage to U.S. military sites, including a Navy base in Bahrain, Iran ceased its attacks on April 9 due to a ceasefire brokered by Pakistan. Negotiations for a permanent resolution to the conflict are currently ongoing.

Bahrain’s Shia population has long alleged marginalization by the government, a sentiment that fueled mass protests during the Arab Spring in 2011. The Bahraini government has consistently attributed unrest to Iranian influence.