A recent statement by a senior Iranian official questioning Bahrain’s Arab identity has sparked outrage in the Kingdom. Bahraini officials and Members of the Council of Representatives strongly defended their country’s Arab heritage, highlighting its centuries-old roots, a UN-supervised referendum affirming its Arab status, and its establishment as an Arab Islamic state in 1783. They condemned Kamal Kharazi’s remarks as an attempt to distort history and interfere in Bahrain’s internal affairs, which could potentially escalate tensions in the Gulf region.
MP Ahmed Al Salloom described Kharazi’s statements as “blatant falsehoods meant to cause division,” reflecting the shared sentiments of his colleagues. Several MPs accused Iran of trying to distract from its internal issues with these comments. Dr. Maryam Al Dhaen, Deputy Chair of the Foreign Affairs, Defence, and National Security Committee, criticized the remarks as a breach of international norms and called for a strong response from regional and international bodies to prevent further provocations.
MP Khalid Saleh BuAnak reiterated Bahrain’s Arab identity, highlighting the 1970 independence survey and the kingdom’s founding in 1783 as evidence. He dismissed Kharazi’s claims as an attempt to divert attention from Iran’s domestic troubles. Other MPs, including Jaleela Alawi and Mohammed Jannahi, praised Bahrain’s national unity and stability in the face of external interference, rejecting any attempts to undermine the nation’s sovereignty. The MPs called for unified action from Gulf and Arab nations to address Iran’s provocations.
MP Jamil Mulla Hassan accused Iran of trying to deflect attention from its internal challenges and urged a collective response from Gulf and Arab nations. MPs Mohammed Yousef Al Marafi, Hassan Eid Boukhamas, Hisham Abdulaziz Al Awadhi, and Hassan Ibrahim Hassan reaffirmed Bahrain’s Arab heritage and called for the international community to stand by the kingdom in rejecting any attempts to sow discord in the region. As Bahrain-Iran relations remain strained, the Council of Representatives emphasized the need for unity to uphold Bahrain’s position in the Arab world and maintain regional stability.
In the face of Iran’s attempts to question Bahrain’s Arab identity, Bahraini officials and MPs have united in defending their nation’s heritage and sovereignty. They have denounced Kamal Kharazi’s remarks as a distortion of history and interference in Bahrain’s internal affairs. The Council of Representatives has called for a strong response from regional and international bodies to prevent further provocations and promote stability in the Gulf region. As tensions between Bahrain and Iran persist, the MPs have emphasized the importance of collective action to counter Iran’s attempts to undermine Bahrain’s position in the Arab world.
