Executive Summary
Iranian messaging directed towards Kuwait and Bahrain illustrates the growing importance of psychological warfare in Gulf security. Amplified by social media, these campaigns exploit historical memory, sovereignty narratives and strategic ambiguity to shape public perceptions. Alongside broader Iranian influence activities, including espionage, these efforts highlight the expanding role of non-military tools in regional competition. GCC diplomatic solidarity demonstrates how coordinated political messaging can strengthen regional resilience against psychological warfare.
Key Points
- Social media has become a significant arena for psychological warfare, allowing emotionally charged messages to spread.
- Iran’s messaging towards Kuwait and Bahrain appears designed to exploit historical memory and public anxiety.
- Ambiguity surrounding potential threats generates uncertainty, increasing psychological pressure.
- Symbolic demonstrations of GCC unity may reduce the effectiveness of influence operations by reinforcing public confidence and regional cohesion.
Analysis
Psychological warfare refers to the deliberate use of information and messaging to influence perceptions, emotions and behaviour in support of strategic objectives. The increasing use of social media has significantly expanded the reach of these operations, allowing state and non-state actors to shape public perception rapidly. Even without coordinated influence campaigns, content exploiting uncertainty or historical trauma can increase psychological pressure.
Iranian messaging towards Kuwait employs two complementary psychological tactics. First, it draws upon the collective memory of the 2 August 1990 Iraqi invasion by highlighting Iran’s assistance to Kuwait following the conflict while accusing Kuwait of enabling U.S. military operations against Iran. This framing was reinforced on 22 July 2026, when Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesman recalled Iran’s dispatch of a 47-member specialist team to help extinguish the Burgan oilfield fires, contrasting this assistance with Kuwait’s current hosting of U.S. military infrastructure. By highlighting Iran’s past assistance, this narrative seeks to reshape collective memory and undermine confidence in Kuwait’s current security partnerships. Second, on 23 July 2026, the IRGC directly addressed Kuwaiti citizens, arguing that U.S. military bases, rather than Iranian strikes, represented the true violation of Kuwaiti sovereignty. By bypassing political leadership and appealing directly to the public, this messaging attempts to shift blame for regional escalation and cultivate public sympathy.
A similar psychological dynamic is evident in Bahrain. Beyond hosting a U.S. naval presence, Bahrain occupies a distinctive place within Iranian political discourse because of historical territorial claims made prior to its independence, despite Iran’s official recognition of Bahrain’s sovereignty in 1970. The revival of narratives portraying Bahrain as Iran’s “14th province” draws upon these historical claims to reinforce contemporary political messaging and challenge Bahrain’s sovereignty.
Iranian influence activities also extend beyond information campaigns. In Bahrain, three individuals were sentenced to life imprisonment for spying on behalf of the IRGC, while in Kuwait, a citizen received a life sentence after being convicted of collaborating with the IRGC and Hezbollah. Although espionage differs from psychological warfare, both form part of a broader strategy through which Iran seeks to advance its regional objectives.
Regional responses indicate an awareness of this dynamic. High-level diplomatic engagement, including the UAE President’s visit to Kuwait, alongside Saudi Arabian and Qatari statements expressing solidarity with Kuwait and Bahrain, demonstrates symbolic reassurance and political cooperation.
Policy Implications
- Resilience against psychological warfare requires measures beyond conventional defence policy.
- Governments should expand strategic communications that provide timely, credible information during periods of heightened regional tension.
- Greater investment in media literacy initiatives would strengthen public awareness of online influence operations.
- Continued public demonstrations of GCC political solidarity should remain a priority; symbolic diplomatic engagement reinforces regional cohesion and reassures domestic audiences that collective security extends beyond military cooperation alone.
- Understanding how historical memory, social media and strategic ambiguity interact will remain essential for strengthening regional resilience against future influence operations.
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