Bahrain, the Gulf nation hosting the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet headquarters, has arrested 41 individuals allegedly affiliated with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The arrests come amid escalating tensions between the U.S. and Iran, with Washington maintaining a blockade on Iranian ports and Tehran threatening to close the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping lane.
The Bahraini Interior Ministry confirmed the detentions but provided no further details, stating that investigations are ongoing. The Sunni-led monarchy, which governs a majority Shiite population, has faced criticism from human rights groups for using the U.S.-Iran conflict as a pretext to suppress dissent.
‘Siding with the U.S.-backed resolution will bring severe consequences. The Strait of Hormuz is a vital lifeline; do not risk closing it on yourselves FOREVER,’ warned Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission.
The Strait of Hormuz has been mostly blocked by Iran since the U.S. and Israel launched military actions on February 28, causing global fuel prices to surge and unsettling international markets. Meanwhile, Britain has deployed the HMS Dragon to the Middle East, joining a potential multinational mission to secure the strait once hostilities cease.
Diplomatic efforts continue, with Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif stating that Pakistan has been mediating 'day and night' between the U.S. and Iran to extend the ceasefire and negotiate a peace deal. Russia and Saudi Arabia have also called for a 'sustainable, long-term agreement' to end the conflict.