Bahrain's government has arrested 41 people it claims are linked to Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), labelling them the “core” of an alleged terrorist network operating within the country.
Based on the findings of investigations by security services, the Ministry of Interior announced a group connected to the IRGC has been uncovered. Bahrain News Agency reported 41 members of this core organisation have been detained, with legal proceedings under way.
The suspects are accused of “espionage involving foreign entities and sympathy with blatant Iranian aggression”. The news agency added: “Investigations are continuing to take necessary measures against anyone found to be involved in the activities of this organisation and who has committed illegal acts.”
The arrests were made using information gathered from previous investigations into cases of espionage involving foreign entities and sympathies with Iranian aggression.
Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed the UAE's solidarity with Bahrain for all measures taken to safeguard its security and sovereignty, Wam reported.
Lebanon also strongly condemned the alleged pro-Iranian activities. In a post on X, Foreign Minister Youssef Raggi said his country “reaffirms its rejection of any external interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom of Bahrain, considering such actions a clear violation of international law”.
On March 12, Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced the arrest of four citizens suspected of espionage on behalf of Iran. The inquiry revealed one used high-resolution photographic equipment to capture images and record co-ordinates of vital locations in Bahrain, which were then sent, using encrypted software, to the IRGC.
Five people were arrested on March 15 after allegedly providing “sensitive” information to the IRGC. At the end that month, three were arrested for allegedly forming a terrorism cell linked to Iran-backed Hezbollah.
Bahrain last week issued sentences of up to three years and fines for 14 others convicted in seven cases related to Iranian attacks on the Gulf state. The kingdom has also revoked the nationality of 69 people, accusing them of supporting or expressing sympathies for Iranian attacks and of involvement in related security offences.
