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Iran Threatens: We Won't Hesitate to Fire Missiles at Bahrain

(Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs) Lt.-Col. (ret.) Michael Segall - Since Bahrain's announcement on forging ties with Israel, demands within Iran to restore Bahrain to Iranian rule have returned at greater intensity. Iran has repeatedly warned recently that it sees Israeli activity in Bahrain as endangering its own security interests and declares that it will not hesitate to attack targets in the kingdom, whether by itself or through its proxies. Bahrain is of particular historical, religious, and political importance to Iran. Bahrain was once under Persian rule (1602-1783), and as Iranian's "14th province," it sent representatives to the Iranian Majlis (parliament). A recent documentary film, "The 14th Province," has won prizes in Iranian film festivals organized by revolutionary elements. A Sunni minority rules Bahrain's Shiite majority, and part of the population is Persian in origin. Increased Iranian subversion in the kingdom through local Shiite terrorist groups and Shiite opposition parties operated by Iran is highly likely. Leading Iranian media, such as Kayhan, which reflects the opinions of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, are already inciting Bahrainis to pick up arms. Terrorist cells in Bahrain operate with Iranian supervision and funding. Although most of these cells have been thwarted by Bahrain, those still active are capable of destabilizing the country if Iran turns up the flames. Another question is whether Iran will try to invade Bahrain in a manner reminiscent of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which Tehran supports. Bahrain is becoming more susceptible to an Iranian strike involving ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, and drones on strategic targets in the kingdom, despite the fact that it hosts the U.S. Navy's main naval base for the Fifth Fleet in the Gulf region. The writer is a senior analyst at the Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs.
2022-04-11 00:00:00
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