Bahrain Revokes Citizenship of 69 Over Iran Sympathy

The Kingdom of Bahrain has officially revoked the citizenship of 69 individuals, including entire families and children, following allegations of disloyalty during the recent U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran.

The Interior Ministry announced that the decision, based on royal directives from King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, targets those accused of sympathizing with “hostile Iranian acts” or collaborating with foreign entities.

This move marks the first mass revocation of nationality in the kingdom since 2019 and has drawn sharp criticism from international advocacy groups like the Bahrain Institute for Rights and Democracy (BIRD).

Critics argue the decision lacks legal safeguards and effectively renders dozens of people stateless, cutting them off from essential services like healthcare and housing.

The crackdown comes amid heightened regional tensions after Iran launched retaliatory strikes on Gulf states hosting U.S. military assets earlier this year.