"In March alone, 250 arrests on charges of online sympathy with Iran or anti-war speech."

"DW reports that Pakistan is mediating talks and that Iran has proposed reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for postponing nuclear negotiations."

"Bahrain's Ministry of Interior announced on Monday that it had revoked the citizenship of 69 people, some of whom were related, after accusing them of sympathising with Iran and 「colluding with foreign entities」. The move comes after Tehran carried out strikes on facilities in Bahrain as part of the war launched against Iran by Israel and the United States. The directive, issued by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, stated that all 69 people were 「of non-Bahraini origin」. Under Bahraini law, a person can be stripped of citizenship if they are deemed to have caused harm to the country or shown disloyalty."

"The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy, a London-based human rights organisation, characterised the action as a breach of international law."

"Jawad Fairooz found out that he no longer had a country while watching television. 「I was on a short trip to London,」 Fairooz, a former politician in Bahrain's parliament, told DW, 「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.」 That was in November 2012. Fairooz had resigned from parliament in protest at security forces killing demonstrators during the so-called Arab Spring. He was arrested, tortured, and then had his citizenship revoked. And he was not alone. Bahraini authorities would eventually withdraw citizenship from close to 990 people."

"DW's reporting also notes that in March 2026 alone, Bahrain arrested approximately 250 people who allegedly posted anti-war messages online, expressed sympathy with Iran, or participated in demonstrations."

"Bahrain has a documented track record: nearly 990 people lost nationality between 2012 and 2026, predominantly Shia citizens and those of Persian descent."

"Bahrain's population is approximately 50% Shia, while the ruling Al Khalifa family is Sunni."

"DW's reporting reveals that people of Persian or mixed Arab-Persian descent are being associated with Iran regardless of their actual political views."

"Kuwait launched a citizenship revocation campaign in March 2024; sources indicate that between 70,000 and 300,000 Kuwaitis have lost nationality since then — potentially affecting one-fifth of the native population when dependents are included."

"The Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy has called the move a 「clear violation of international law」."