Smoke rises over the capital Manama, following a reported Iranian drone strike on the fuel storage facility of Bahrain International Airport, amid the U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran, in Muharraq, Manama, Bahrain, March 12, 2026. (Credit: Reuters)
BEIRUT — Bahrain’s Interior Ministry announced Monday the arrest of three individuals accused of "forming a cell linked to Hezbollah" and being involved in activities "of espionage, coordination with foreign actors and funding operations that threaten the security and stability of Bahrain."
The investigation conducted by the General Directorate of Criminal Investigation and Forensic Science revealed that the suspects, whose nationalities were not specified, reportedly traveled to Lebanon, where they "received weapons training, transmitted sensitive information, and collected funds under the guise of charitable activities to support operations related to Hezbollah."
Several Gulf countries, notably Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, have announced in the past month the neutralization of similar cells on their territory. Emirati authorities said Friday they had dismantled a "terrorist network" funded and operated by Hezbollah and its backer, Iran.
According to the official news agency, the network was involved in "money laundering operations, terrorism financing, and threats to national security," without providing further details.
Kuwait, announced Wednesday and again two weeks earlier that it had foiled an attack carried out by "a terrorist group affiliated with Hezbollah," a claim the pro-Iranian Shiite party categorically denied.
These announcements come amid a regional war triggered by Israeli and U.S. strikes on both military and oil infrastructure in Iran.
The Islamic Republic responded by targeting American bases and civilian infrastructure belonging to Gulf Arab countries.
The conflict has spilled into Lebanon, where Hezbollah reopened the front against northern Israel, ending nearly a year and a half of cease-fire concluded at the end of November 2024.
