[92734] Hossein Shariatmadari calls for the annexation of Bahrain to the Islamic Republic

Calling for the annexation of Bahrain sparks echoes in Iran

In a series of reports published on June 21, 2026, an unusual statement by Hossein Shariatmadari, a key figure in the conservative establishment in Iran and editor of the 'Kayhan' newspaper, made headlines. Shariatmadari, known for his hawkish positions and closeness to the ideological line of the Supreme Leader, openly called on the Iranian government to act to return Bahrain to what he defined as "the Iranian motherland."

The call, published in several Telegram channels, including اخبارفوری خبرفوری جنگ امریکا فوری and خبرفوری‌نیوز | اخبار جنگ | حمله امریکا, presents an official-seeming demand from the regime in Tehran to take active steps against Bahraini sovereignty. These media outlets, which are identified with a line promoting nationalist-religious propaganda, disseminated the message under the headline: "Hossein Shariatmadari: Senior officials of the system must act to return Bahrain to the motherland of Iran".

The remarks also received echoes on the هات نیوز | فوری 🔴 channel, which usually reports on military and security issues. The very fact that this issue is being raised by such an influential figure in the Iranian system raises questions regarding the stability of regional relations in the Persian Gulf, especially against the backdrop of ongoing geopolitical tension.

As of this writing, there has been no official response from the Iranian Foreign Ministry or the leadership of Bahrain. However, statements of this kind, coming from figures identified with the extreme conservative stream in Iran, are usually perceived as an attempt to exert pressure on policymakers or as a message from the security branches regarding Tehran's regional ambitions.