The ruling marks one of the most significant judicial actions taken by Bahrain in recent months against individuals accused of maintaining links with Iranian security organizations amid heightened regional tensions between Gulf states and Tehran.

According to the report carried by the Bahrain News Agency, the defendants were convicted of gathering information on sensitive locations within Bahrain and facilitating financial transfers connected to the alleged activities.

The court said the defendants had collaborated with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, commonly known as the IRGC, which Bahrain and several of its regional partners have repeatedly accused of supporting activities that threaten Gulf security.

The verdict follows an announcement by Bahrain’s Interior Ministry on May 9 that security forces had arrested 41 individuals allegedly linked to the IRGC. Authorities said investigations uncovered a network connected to the Iranian organization, while prosecutors were also examining cases involving expressions of support for Iranian military actions.

Bahraini officials have not publicly disclosed the identities of those convicted, nor have they released detailed information regarding the specific locations targeted or the extent of the alleged intelligence-gathering activities.

Relations between Bahrain and Iran have long been strained by security disputes, accusations of interference and broader geopolitical rivalries across the Gulf region.

The latest convictions come amid increased regional scrutiny of alleged IRGC-linked activities following months of heightened military and diplomatic tensions involving Iran, Israel, Gulf Arab states and the United States.

Bahrain hosts the headquarters of the United States Fifth Fleet and is a close security partner of Washington, making the island kingdom a strategically important player in Gulf security architecture.

Authorities have not indicated whether additional prosecutions related to the May arrests are expected.

Bahrain’s Public Prosecution said the defendants were found guilty of “supporting and endorsing Iranian terrorist attacks on the Kingdom, obtaining and broadcasting prohibited vital data, and photographing prohibited locations,” the agency reported.

Several of the convicted individuals were also fined 2,000 Bahraini dinars ($5,300), while the court ordered the permanent deportation of three defendants following completion of their prison terms.

Authorities did not publicly disclose additional details about the defendants, the alleged attacks or the timeframe of the offenses.

The convictions come amid heightened regional tensions involving Iran and Gulf Arab states, as Bahrain continues to maintain close security ties with Western allies and neighboring Gulf countries.

Bahrain has previously accused Iran-backed groups of destabilizing activities inside the kingdom, allegations Tehran has repeatedly denied.

The island nation hosts the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet and remains a key regional security partner for Washington amid ongoing instability across the Gulf.