[67971] Iranian 'Kayhan' newspaper calls on Tehran government to annex Bahrain

A controversial call in the Iranian press for the annexation of Bahrain

On May 20, 2026, the Iranian 'Kayhan' newspaper – known for its extreme conservative stance and considered the regime's mouthpiece – sparked a media storm after publishing an article calling on Iran to work toward returning Bahrain to its sovereignty. The article was presented in various reports on Telegram channels, including اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا حمله and اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا فوری.

The article claimed that countries around the world are currently working to "reclaim areas that were detached from their geographical body." The author used as examples Russia's activity in the Crimean Peninsula and China's aspirations regarding Taiwan. According to the publication, "Iran needs to conduct a serious re-examination regarding the return of Bahrain, our country's former 14th province."

The call was widely disseminated in other channels as well, such as حامیان پزشکیان and پیام ایران. As of the time the reports were published, the remarks were presented as a geopolitical thesis seeking to justify changing borders by force, contrasting the moves of the great powers with an attempt to realize similar territorial claims by Tehran.

This is an unusual message in the official rhetoric of media outlets close to the Supreme Leader in Iran, which raises renewed concerns in the Persian Gulf regarding the Islamic Republic's territorial aspirations toward its neighbors.