Bahrain has revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals over alleged links to Iran, in a move that comes amid heightened regional tensions following recent conflict in the Gulf.
In a statement released on Monday, April 27, the Ministry of Interior Bahrain said those affected, along with some of their dependents, were found to have supported “hostile Iranian acts,” including collaborating with foreign entities. Authorities published a list of those stripped of their nationality but did not provide detailed information about their current status.
The decision has drawn criticism from rights groups. The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy described it as the first mass citizenship revocation in the country since 2019, raising concerns about due process and transparency. The group noted uncertainty over whether those affected have been detained or whether they hold other nationalities.
The move follows weeks of regional instability after Iran launched missile and drone attacks on Gulf states, including Bahrain, in response to U.S. and Israeli strikes that began in late February. Tehran had accused Gulf nations of allowing their territory to be used as staging grounds for those operations. A ceasefire announced on April 8 has since paused hostilities, though tensions remain high.
Across the region, countries such as Qatar, Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates have also intensified actions against suspected Iran-linked networks.
Within Bahrain, the situation carries additional sensitivity. The country, ruled by a Sunni leadership, has a majority Shia population that has long raised concerns over political and social marginalisation. Rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have recently warned about a wave of arrests tied to the ongoing crisis, with some detainees accused of treason and others reportedly held for participating in protests.
The latest citizenship revocations highlight the growing strain between national security measures and civil liberties as Gulf states respond to regional instability.