Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa has issued a strongly worded demand that Iran cease interfering in Bahrain's internal affairs and those of other Gulf states.
In remarks carried by the state-run Bahrain News Agency on Thursday, the king described Bahrain as having been subjected to "heinous Iranian aggression" targeting its security, stability and people.
"Iran must cease interfering in the internal affairs of Bahrain and the Gulf states," he said, adding: "The ordeal the country has gone through has exposed faces and removed masks."
All six Gulf Co-operation Council nations were struck during Iran's retaliation campaign against Israel and Gulf nations hosting US assets, following Washington and Tel Aviv’s air strikes at the end of February.
While Tehran said it was targeting US assets and interests in the region, the strikes reportedly also hit energy infrastructure, civilian sites, airports, residential buildings and hotels across the Gulf.
Bahrain says its air defences intercepted and destroyed 194 Iranian missiles and 523 drones before a Pakistan-mediated ceasefire came into effect on April 8.
‘Betrayal that cannot be forgiven’
King Hamad said Bahrain's armed forces remain on high alert, but reserved some of his sharpest remarks for those within the kingdom he accused of collaborating with external adversaries.
He called such acts a "betrayal that cannot be forgiven," saying his "strong anger" over recent developments reflected broader public sentiment.
The king described citizenship as "not a piece of paper but a covenant," adding that those who break it forfeit their right to it.
The remarks come amid a sweeping domestic security crackdown.
This week, a Bahraini court sentenced five people to life in prison for “plotting terrorist acts” in coordination with Iran, while another 25 received sentences of up to ten years for sharing or expressing support for Iranian attacks.
The kingdom has also revoked the citizenship of 69 people for sympathising with or glorifying Iran's actions against Bahrain.
Bahrain has been tightening internal security for months.
In March, 14 people were charged with spying for Iran's Revolutionary Guard Corps, accused of receiving funds from Tehran, leaking state secrets, and undergoing military training at IRGC facilities. Three others face separate charges of channelling charitable funds to Hezbollah.
