ByDANIELLE GREYMAN-KENNARD

JUNE 18, 2026 15:22

Updated: JUNE 18, 2026 17:25

Amnesty International stated on Thursday that the Islamic regime's strikes killing civilians in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia may amount to war crimes, after releasing fresh evidence on the fatalities and severe injuries inflicted.

At least 28 people died and hundreds sustained injuries when Iran carried out unprovoked attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council members, although information stayed tightly controlled by the targeted countries.

Despite tight controls, Amnesty managed to probe assaults on two nations in March that together claimed four civilian lives and wounded no fewer than 12 others.

Investigators determined the regime probably deployed Shahed drones, low-cost weapons capable of covering 2,000 km at low altitudes, allowing many air-defense systems to be evaded.

Between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on March 2, two drones hit the MT Stena Imperative oil tanker while it underwent repairs at the Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard in Al Hidd, Bahrain.

SM Tareq, a Bangladeshi ASRY employee, lost his life and two colleagues were hurt. A witness told the organization, "I saw one of my friends on fire, and he had his brain coming out of his head."

Relatives noted that Tareq had become anxious about the strikes beforehand and requested prayers for his safety.

"The Middle East conflict has taken a heavy toll on civilians, with thousands killed or wounded across the region. Civilians continue to pay the ultimate price in Iranian attacks that require investigation as war crimes," said Heba Morayef, Amnesty International's Middle East and North Africa regional director.

"Iranian authorities must cease strikes on civilian infrastructure at once. Those responsible must face accountability, and victims deserve justice, truth, and reparations."

Swedish civilian tanker targeted by Iran

The Stena Imperative belongs to the Swedish firm Stena Bulk and serves civilian purposes.

Reports indicate the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps tried to strike and seize the vessel in February 2026 after it was hired under the US Maritime Administration's Tanker Security Program.

At the time of the Bahrain attack, however, the ship was a civilian asset in a civilian repair facility, and international law forbids direct attacks on civilians and civilian objects.

Less than a week later, on March 8, Iran hit a labor camp in Al-Kharj, Saudi Arabia, around 4 p.m., killing three civilian men and injuring 10 others, some of whom required months of hospital care.

The victims worked for Twaik Co., a maintenance and cleaning firm, performing routine janitorial tasks.

Witness accounts, photos, and videos point to Iranian involvement

Six witnesses, victim relatives, plus photos and videos from the scene convinced Amnesty that Iran or a proxy had launched a Shahed drone.

One witness recounted: "One worker, the blast turned him into pieces, and I could smell him burning. The second worker had his legs broken, and something pierced his head. The third was screaming, 'Save me.' Three of them died: two died on the spot, and one was taken to hospital and died there."

The three Bangladeshi nationals killed - Musharaff Hussain, 42; Abdullah Mamun; and Bachchu Mia, 35 - died while preparing to break their Ramadan fast.

All witnesses confirmed no US or Saudi military personnel were present at the camp before the strike, despite IRGC claims of targeting a radar system. The regime likely aimed at Prince Sultan Air Base roughly 15 km away.