Intelligence officials across the Persian Gulf region have uncovered extensive Iranian spy networks that are providing Tehran with sensitive military information and documenting attacks as they happen, according to a new report.
Tehran’s recent aerial bombardments targeting Gulf infrastructure have sparked worries that hidden networks operating within these nations may be supporting Iran’s military campaigns. These covert groups have been functioning in Gulf territories before current hostilities began, supplying Iran with precise locations of defense installations, recording military defensive measures, and capturing footage of Iranian ballistic weapon and unmanned aircraft operations.
An unnamed military intelligence official speaking to The Media Line confirmed that “Iranian sleeper cells in the Gulf belong to several nationalities, including Arab and Asian nationalities, as well as Sh’ite citizens of the Gulf.”
The official further specified that these operatives include “Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi, in addition to several citizens of Algeria and Tunisia.”
The most compelling proof of Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) operatives working within Gulf territories comes from video recordings of aerial bombardments captured before the actual strikes occur.
Multiple recordings have emerged showing the exact moments of attacks before the weapons reach their intended locations. These recordings appear on social media platforms including X and Instagram immediately following strikes, often before government officials make any public announcements about attacks.
The footage, captured using both mobile devices and professional recording equipment, suggests advance knowledge about target selection, and this information did not come from security camera systems. Since military actions against Iran began, hundreds of new social media accounts have appeared on X, Instagram, and other platforms broadcasting similar live footage alongside false information and propaganda.
These activities have been documented in Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, particularly across multiple Gulf urban areas.
Interior and Defense Ministry officials in Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia have released multiple public warnings against recording the results of Iranian bombardments or discussing target locations. These government agencies also cautioned against filming air defense systems, missile installations, military operations, or any related footage.
Multiple verified social media accounts connected to Bahraini opposition groups, which have represented their interests for years, have shared images of what they describe as “electronic operations rooms” with masked personnel.
According to these accounts, their purpose is to “support the Islamic Republic of Iran.” These opposition-affiliated accounts share attack footage and work to circulate various false claims that are later proven incorrect.
“Simultaneous investigations are currently underway in the Gulf states, and cooperation is taking place in these investigations to uncover all espionage and support networks operating on behalf of Iran in the Gulf,” the intelligence source added.
These Iranian operatives have shared precise coordinates of defense facilities and petroleum processing plants in Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the UAE, Kuwait, and Qatar, along with various significant military and civilian structures.
They have also revealed locations of American community members in Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, and Kuwait, resulting in attacks on apartment buildings, hotels, and other properties. Intelligence regarding crucial economic locations, financial institutions, oil processing facilities, and other important industrial and manufacturing sites has also been compromised.
Numerous Shi’ite residents in Gulf nations have not maintained neutrality but have instead shown support for Iran and defended its attacks on Gulf countries.
Mohammed Hassan, a Bahraini Shi’ite currently residing in Iraq, told The Media Line, “We support the Islamic Republic of Iran. If it falls, Israel will swallow up all the Arabs, and we know that the missiles were launched from the Gulf states toward Iran.”
He added, “We must avenge everyone who contributed to the killing of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, and they must meet the same fate. We cannot remain silent, even if it is my country.”
A Gulf media personality, identified only as A., who refused to reveal his nationality or complete name, told The Media Line, “We publish these videos to demonstrate Iran’s strength. It’s ridiculous to arrest people and accuse them of spying for Iran. Everything the military wants to know is available on Google Maps. This targeting of Shia citizens is simply an act of revenge.”
He continued, “This is unacceptable. Our opinions cannot be suppressed. We support the Islamic Republic of Iran, and that is our opinion. No one can confiscate it or accuse us of treason or being agents.”
Badr al-Aji, a Saudi military analyst, told The Media Line, “The Gulf states have known about the existence of such cells for some time, and some Gulf states have already taken steps, but the entire network only began to fall apart recently.”
He explained, “The network is large and far-reaching, and it operates in a decentralized manner. Most of its members are known only to their leader, for fear that the rest of the network will reveal their identities if one of them is arrested.”
Al-Aji noted, “These people are ideologically driven and consider Iran to be their spiritual father, and therefore they have no fear of punishment if they are arrested.”
Abdullah al-Khalidi, a Gulf political analyst, told The Media Line, “Now they will try to exert pressure through more operations within the Gulf states, attempting to distract security efforts to achieve the greatest possible outcome from these security strikes.”
He continued, “Iran’s missile stockpiles will soon run out, but the focus will remain on the fifth column—Iranian agents in the region—who will seek to sabotage. However, the fall of Iran will certainly mean the fall of these agents as well, for they do not plan; they merely execute orders.”
Multiple Gulf nations, including Bahrain, Kuwait, and Qatar, have detained various cells and individuals on espionage charges. Qatar officially announced the capture of two spy networks working for the Iranian Revolutionary Guard (IRGC). One network possessed photographs and coordinates of military locations, while the other was planning multiple bombings and hostile operations targeting critical infrastructure and aiming to destabilize security and stability, according to the Qatar News Agency.
Kuwait also announced in separate statements the detention of multiple individuals accused of recording and sharing footage of military movements and Iranian bombardment of Kuwait.
The Bahraini Ministry of Interior announces almost daily the detention of individuals accused of recording and sharing footage of Iranian missile and drone attacks on Bahrain, glorifying these actions that harm Bahrain’s interests, and publicizing military movements on the Gulf island.
The most notable announcement from the Bahraini Ministry of Interior was the arrest on Sunday of multiple individuals of Asian nationalities, including five Pakistanis and one Bangladeshi national, who had documented and shared information about the Iranian bombing of Bahrain and praised these actions.
On Thursday, March 12, the Bahraini Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of four Bahrainis and the identification of a fifth fugitive abroad, after they were found to be spying for the IRGC through terrorist elements located in Iran.
The Ministry of Interior statement listed the names of the four, aged between 22 and 36, including a woman named Sarah Abdulnabi. It indicated that they used high-resolution photography equipment and sent images and coordinates to the IRGC via encrypted software.
As trials began for those arrested by Bahrain, the Bahraini Public Prosecution, in the first session held on Monday, March 9, charged the detainees with espionage for Iran and demanded the maximum penalties, which under Bahraini law can reach the death penalty. This is considered an aggravating circumstance due to the state of war. The hearings will continue until a final verdict is reached.
The laws of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries generally stipulate the death penalty for espionage or the leaking of important information, especially during times of war. Therefore, it is expected that these individuals will receive what is called the maximum penalty, which is execution, as the Gulf states are currently considered to be in a state of war.
