Hosting U.S. Navy’s Mideast HQ, Bahrain arrests dozens allegedly linked to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard

(SeaPRwire) –   A shaky ceasefire seemed to hold on Saturday, following the United States targeting two Iranian oil tankers, while the country that hosts the U.S. Navy’s regional headquarters announced it had arrested dozens of people it claimed were connected to Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.

Friday’s attacks cast doubt on the month-old ceasefire that the United States has maintained is still in effect. Washington is awaiting Iran’s response to its latest proposal for an agreement to conclude the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, and reduce Tehran’s disputed nuclear program.

The U.S. military said Friday that its forces disabled two Iranian tankers that were attempting to breach the American blockade of Iran’s ports. Hours earlier, the military stated it prevented attacks on three Navy vessels and targeted Iranian military installations in the strait.

On Saturday, the small Gulf island of Bahrain reported it had detained 41 individuals it claimed belonged to a group linked with Iran’s Revolutionary Guard. The interior ministry indicated investigations were ongoing but did not disclose any details.

Bahrain is ruled by a Sunni Muslim monarchy, yet like Iran, it has a majority Shiite population. Human rights organizations have noted that the kingdom has used the war between Iran and the U.S., which maintains its Fifth Fleet in Bahrain, as justification to intensify suppression of dissent.

Iran issued a warning to Bahrain, stating, “Aligning with the U.S.-backed resolution will result in severe consequences. The Strait of Hormuz serves as a crucial lifeline; do not risk permanently closing it.” Ebrahim Azizi, chair of the national security commission at Iran’s parliament, made these remarks on social media.

Since the U.S. and Israel initiated the war on February 28, Iran has largely restricted access to the strategic waterway, leading to a sharp rise in global fuel prices and unsettling world markets. Meanwhile, the U.S. has enforced its own blockade on Iran’s ports.

Britain sends warship to the Middle East

The British defense ministry announced it is dispatching a warship to the Middle East to join a possible mission aimed at protecting commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz once hostilities subside.

The ministry explained that the HMS Dragon will “preposition” in the region, prepared to participate in a joint security plan led by the U.K. and France. France revealed this week that it was repositioning its aircraft carrier strike group into the Red Sea in preparation.

Britain and France have spearheaded meetings involving more than thirty countries concerning a coalition intended to restore freedom of navigation in the strait. However, they emphasize that such efforts will only commence once a lasting ceasefire is achieved and the maritime industry feels confident that ships can safely pass through the strait.

Diplomacy continues ‘day and night’

U.S. President Donald Trump affirmed that the ceasefire remains intact but has restated his threats to resume large-scale bombing if Iran refuses to accept an accord to reopen the strait and scale back its nuclear activities.

On Friday, Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei told state-run IRNA that Iran was not concerned about “deadlines.”

Also on Friday, a senior Iranian official confirmed that Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is in “complete health” and will eventually make a public appearance. Khamenei has neither been seen nor heard from publicly since the war began, prompting speculation regarding his condition.

Mazaher Hosseini, associated with the office of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, shared these comments during a pro-government rally. Hosseini added that Mojtaba had sustained knee and back injuries during the initial attacks of the war, though they have mostly healed.

Diplomatic efforts persist. Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif reported that his nation has been in continuous contact with both the U.S. and Iran “day and night” in an attempt to extend the ceasefire and negotiate a peace settlement.

Russia’s foreign ministry stated on Saturday that it—alongside Saudi Arabia—is advocating for diplomatic initiatives to secure a “sustainable, long-term agreement” to end the conflict.

Top diplomats from Egypt and Qatar reaffirmed Saturday that diplomacy represents the only viable route to resolving the crisis, according to a summary of a phone conversation between their respective foreign ministers.