1981 Bahraini coup attempt

The 1981 Bahraini coup d'état attempt was a failed coup d'état which was orchestrated by the Islamic Front for the Liberation of Bahrain which operated with alleged backing from Iran.^[1] The Bahraini Ministry of Interior arrested 73 individuals who were accused of attempting to overthrow the Bahraini monarchy and install an Islamic republic similar to that in Iran. The plot is viewed as being the first overt attempt at undermining a Persian Gulf government with some measure of Iranian aid.^[2] The Iranian government denied involvement.

The coup was orchestrated by 73 individuals of various nationalities including 60 Bahrainis, 11 Saudis, a Kuwaiti, and an Omani. The Bahrainis had Shia-associated last names. The individuals had been trained in Iran, had automatic weapons, and some had Bahraini police uniforms, allegedly made in Iran. Iran denied all involvement. According to the government of Bahrain, an Iranian had brought two radios into Bahrain to be used by the plotters.^[2] The individuals planned to attack the Bahraini government offices Dar Al Hukuma and take ministers as hostages while simultaneously taking over the national radio building and television stations on December 16; a date which marks Bahrain's national day.^[3] Three of the plotters were given life sentences, while the remaining 70 received lighter jail terms.^[3]

The Bahraini government expelled a number of Iranian diplomats shortly after the arrests. The expulsions included Iranian diplomat Hassan Shushtari Zadeh, the top Iranian diplomat in Bahrain at that time.^[3]