Full Breakdown
Bahrain Revokes Citizenship of 69 Individuals Over Alleged Iran Support
4/29/2026, 4:54:55 AM
Revocation Decision and Legal Basis
On 27 April 2026 the Interior Ministry announced that the citizenship of 69 people—most of them family members of the accused—had been withdrawn under Article 10/3 of the Bahraini Nationality Law. The decree, issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and implemented by Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, cites “glorifying or sympathising with hostile Iranian acts” or “engaging with external parties” as grounds for revocation. All listed individuals are described as “non-Bahraini origin,” a category that typically includes naturalised persons rather than native-born citizens.
Context: Regional Conflict and Domestic Tensions
The decision follows a wave of Iranian missile and drone strikes launched in late February 2026 in retaliation for U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. Bahrain, home to the U.S. Fifth Fleet, suffered several strikes on military and civilian sites. Internally, the kingdom’s Sunni ruling family governs a population that is roughly 45-55 % Shia, a demographic split that has historically fueled accusations of Iranian meddling and periodic crackdowns on dissent.
Key Actors
- King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa – issued the royal decree.
- Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa – tasked with executing the revocations.
- Interior Ministry – announced the action and cited the legal provision.
- Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD) – rights group monitoring the case.
- Jawad Fairooz – former parliamentarian whose 2012 citizenship loss is cited as precedent.
- Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) – alleged to operate cells in Bahrain, according to officials.
Numbers and Related Legal Actions
- 69 citizenships revoked (including spouses, children, grandchildren).
- 5 individuals sentenced to life imprisonment and 25 to ten-year terms for alleged spying for Iran (reported 27 April).
- Over 250 Shia Bahrainis arrested since 28 February, according to the Prison Affairs Authority.
- Between 2012 and 2019, Bahrain withdrew citizenship from at least 990 people (BIRD).
Official Government Statements
The Interior Ministry stated the revocations protect national security and are “based on the text of Article 10/3… in the event of causing harm to the interests of the Kingdom or acting contrary to the duty of loyalty.” The Foreign Ministry warned of further Iranian aggression and urged vigilance. The Bahrain Defense Force announced that its weapons and units remain at “the highest levels of readiness and defensive preparedness.”
Criticism and Opposition
BIRD’s advocacy director Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei condemned the move as “the beginning of a dangerous era of repression,” arguing it was “imposed without legal safeguards or any right of appeal.” Human-rights observers note the lack of public identification of the affected individuals and the potential for statelessness, especially among the Ajam community of Persian-origin Shia Bahrainis.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The London-based Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy described the move as “dangerous” and a clear violation of international law.” — BIRD, statement to Reuters
- “the beginning of a dangerous era of repression.” — Sayed Ahmed Alwadaei, Advocacy Director, BIRD
- “when the Ministry of Interior decided to revoke the nationality of people in the opposition. They read 31 names on TV. Mine was one. It was such a shock because I never called for the government to be overthrown.” — Jawad Fairooz, former parliamentarian (DW interview)
- “States have been weaponizing citizenship for a long time,” — Lindsey Kingston, Professor of International Human Rights, Webster University (DW interview)
- “A long-standing ground for citizenship stripping is treason and this logic is now being invoked in some Gulf countries.” — Luuk van der Baaren, Legal Researcher, European University Institute (DW interview)
Conflicting Reports and Information Gaps
Sources differ on whether any of the 69 individuals have been detained, their current locations, or whether they hold alternative nationalities. The Interior Ministry did not publish names or detailed accusations, and no formal appeal mechanism has been described. Independent verification of the alleged “external contacts” remains absent.
Future Outlook
Bahrain’s statement that a review of “those who merit the honor of Bahraini nationality” will continue suggests further revocations are possible. International human-rights groups have called for transparent procedures and the restoration of rights for those rendered stateless. The outcome may influence similar citizenship-revocation trends observed in Kuwait, Oman and other Gulf states amid the ongoing Iran-U.S.–Israel confrontation.
