New york: Dr. Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Minister of Foreign Affairs, expressed serious concerns over the recent Iranian ballistic missile and drone attacks targeting populated civilian areas in the Kingdom of Bahrain, describing them as part of a sustained campaign that began on 28 February. The attacks have continued unabated, even after the signing of the U.S.-Iran Memorandum of Understanding.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Al Zayani addressed an emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council, which was convened at Bahrain's request. He urged the Council to reaffirm its condemnation of Iran's repeated attacks, require an immediate cessation, ensure compliance with Security Council Resolution 2817 (2026), and establish mechanisms for accountability.
The Foreign Minister emphasized Bahrain's reliance on the Security Council for maintaining international peace and security. He anticipated that the Council, which had previously condemned Iran's attacks against Gulf Cooperation Council member states and Jordan, would not stand idle in the face of ongoing aggression that challenges its authority.
Highlighting the severe impact on Bahrain, one of the world's most densely populated countries, he detailed the 808 attacks, including 203 ballistic missiles and 605 drones, targeting civilian and critical infrastructure. These attacks resulted in the death of three civilians and injuries to 465, including women and children. Dr. Al Zayani noted that the attacks terrorized civilians, spreading fear and disrupting daily life, actions prohibited under international humanitarian law.
He rejected claims that the targets were military, pointing to attacks on civilian infrastructure such as a desalination plant and residential areas. Bahrain has documented each incident with comprehensive evidence submitted to the UN, countering any allegations of exaggeration.
The Foreign Minister presented visual documentation of damage to vital facilities, underscoring the deliberate targeting of civilians. He cited a specific attack on the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company in Sitra, where a drone struck an ammonia storage tank. This incident could have resulted in a major disaster if not for preemptive measures.
Dr. Al Zayani warned that these continued attacks, executed directly and through proxies, threaten regional security. He mentioned threats to civil aviation near Kuwait International Airport and a drone attack on the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE.
He reiterated Bahrain's call for an immediate cessation of attacks, urging the Security Council to enforce compliance with international law and reaffirm its condemnation. He emphasized Bahrain's right to self-defense while committing to peaceful solutions.
Concluding, the Foreign Minister stressed the importance of the Security Council's credibility in protecting peaceful nations and the necessity of implementing resolutions to bring an end to the attacks, urging the Council to fulfill its responsibilities.