The key facts

  • Bahrain's Interior Ministry announced a potential threat and urged people to take shelter
  • The nature of the threat was not disclosed
  • The warning comes against the backdrop of Iran-US tensions over the Strait of Hormuz

Sirens and Interior Ministry Statement

Early on Sunday, sirens sounded in Bahrain. The kingdom's Interior Ministry warned of a potential threat and urged citizens and residents to remain calm, head 'to the nearest safe place' and follow updates through official channels. The ministry did not report on the nature of the threat.

Context of Tensions

The warning came against the backdrop of continuing tensions between Iran and the US over shipping through the Strait of Hormuz — a strategic water artery for global supplies of energy resources and goods. The question of passage through the strait remains a key topic of negotiations between Washington and Tehran. According to the agency, the war began with US and Israeli attacks on Iran on February 28; in April the sides reached a truce, but after its collapse hostilities resumed, despite the signing of a memorandum of understanding in June.