Bahrain remains committed to regional peace, and its patience must not be mistaken for complacency, the Foreign Ministry said yesterday.
It stressed that defending Bahrain’s sovereignty, security and stability, and protecting its people, remains a red line on which the kingdom will not compromise.
Bahrain condemned in the strongest terms Iran’s renewed attacks against the kingdom and Kuwait, carried out at dawn yesterday in which seven ballistic missiles were fired towards their territories and successfully intercepted.
“The choice now rests with those launching missiles and drones: either to embark on a path of peace and co-operation, or to condemn themselves to isolation and marginalisation,” the ministry said.
In a statement, the ministry commended the vigilance of the armed forces of both countries and their readiness to confront any act of aggression.
The attack constituted a flagrant violation of the sovereignty of both countries, a grave breach of the Charter of the United Nations and international norms, and a further defiance of international legitimacy resolutions, foremost among them the United Nations Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), which condemned Iran’s attacks and attempts to close the Strait of Hormuz or obstruct international navigation through it.
The ministry added that the attack threatened the stability of the Gulf region, and contradicted the noble teachings of Islam, which call for the rejection of aggression and the preservation of life.
The ministry reiterated that security cannot be built through missiles and drones, nor stability preserved by laying mines.
It called on Iran to cease its unjustified attacks, reopen the Strait of Hormuz without restrictions, respect freedom of maritime navigation under international law.
Iran must comply with relevant Security Council resolutions, disclose the locations of naval mines and co-operate in their removal, establish a safe humanitarian corridor for civilian vessels and allow the more than 20,000 stranded seafarers to depart and return safely to their families, the statement added.
The Bahrain Defence Force’s (BDF) General Command said that Iran ‘continues its systematic hostile approach through its criminal attacks using missiles and drones targeting civilians’ in the kingdom.
The General Command confirmed that the BDF air defence systems succeeded in intercepting and destroying three missiles and several drones.
It said that all its units are at the highest levels of readiness and defensive preparedness to protect the kingdom.
The General Command urged the public to exercise caution regarding any unfamiliar or suspicious objects resulting from attacks, and to avoid approaching or handling them, and report them immediately.
The General Command stressed that the deliberate use of missiles and drones to target civilians and private property constitutes a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law.
Arab condemnations continued following the new Iranian attacks targeting Bahrain and Kuwait, amid widespread reaffirmation of support for the sovereignty, security and stability of both countries.
The statements issued by many Arab and Gulf countries stressed that these attacks constitute a blatant violation of international law and pose a serious threat to regional security.
They warned of the potential repercussions on efforts aimed at de-escalation and regional stability, while affirming solidarity with Bahrain and Kuwait in all measures taken to safeguard their security, sovereignty, and territorial integrity.
New Gulf flare-up – Pages 12-13
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