Bahrain accused Iran of drone attacks on its territory, drawing strong condemnation from Egypt and several Gulf states amid concerns over a US-Iran ceasefire.
Regional tensions rose on Saturday when Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry denounced the reported Iranian drone strikes as a violation of its sovereignty. The ministry stated that Tehran alone would bear responsibility for undermining regional peace and reserved the right to defend the kingdom’s security.
Egypt condemned the attacks in the strongest terms, calling them an unacceptable breach of Bahrain’s sovereignty and a threat to stability. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry urged all parties to avoid actions that could harm ongoing diplomatic efforts.
Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait issued similar statements. Qatar labelled the strikes a flagrant breach of international law, while the UAE expressed full solidarity with Bahrain. Kuwait warned of a dangerous escalation that endangers efforts to maintain regional stability.
The incidents occurred against the backdrop of renewed disagreements over management of the Strait of Hormuz following the recent ceasefire.