Bahrain has sentenced nine individuals to life imprisonment on charges of espionage and collaboration with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). According to state media reports released on Sunday, prosecutors alleged that the convicted individuals coordinated with the IRGC to conduct hostile and terrorist activities. Two additional defendants received three-year prison terms in the same case.

Authorities stated that some of those convicted had taken photographs of key strategic sites in Bahrain under IRGC instructions, while others were accused of transferring funds from Iran to Bahrain, including through cryptocurrency channels. Prosecutors added that several defendants helped recruit local operatives and assisted in implementing the alleged plans.

The verdict comes amid Bahrain’s ongoing crackdown on individuals accused of ties with Tehran. The ruling follows heightened regional tensions after U.S. and Israeli military actions against Iran in late February, which led Gulf states to strengthen security measures.