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.
