Iran has warned Bahrain of dire consequences if it allows the United States to use its military bases in the event of a new war in the Middle East. The warning came from Manouchehr Mottaki, Iran’s former foreign minister and current lawmaker, who said Bahrain would face a devastating response from Tehran if it again permits US forces to operate from its territory. He also accused Bahrain of aggravating tensions following joint US-Israeli military actions.

Mottaki claimed that after the assassination of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Bahrain supported a UN Security Council resolution against Tehran instead of showing sympathy. He further alleged that Bahrain attempted to pass an anti-Iran proposal during last month’s Inter-Parliamentary Union meeting in Istanbul, but the effort failed due to diplomatic resistance and support from other countries.

The report noted that the US Fifth Fleet’s main base is located in Bahrain. Following US and Israeli attacks on Iran in February, Tehran retaliated with strikes on several Bahraini sites, including hotels where it claimed US troops had relocated from military bases.