Three sailors on a ship from Bahrain were forced at gunpoint into Iranian waters on February 18. The Bahraini boat carrying a 43-year-old Bahraini seaman and two Asian nationals aged 36 and 38 was subjected to a robbery by pirates near the Kingdom’s northern maritime border. The attackers stole one engine and other items from the vessel. The attackers were identified as Iranian nationals.
After the robbery, the seamen were returned to their boat.
Bahrain’s Coast Guard has reported multiple similar incidents. The Ministry of the Interior of Bahrain has condemned the attack as a violation of maritime law and says Bahrain has the right to take legal measures in response.