BAHRAIN: TRAVEL OF UNSC-DESIGNATED IRANIANS

C O N F I D E N T I A L MANAMA 000437 SIPDIS SIPDIS FOR NEA/ARP, ISN E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/15/2017 TAGS: PREL PARM KNNP BA IR ROW SUBJECT: BAHRAIN: TRAVEL OF UNSC-DESIGNATED IRANIANS REF: STATE 61222 Classified By: DCM Susan L. Ziadeh for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Pol/Econ Chief May 14 delivered reftel demarche concerning the travel of UNSC-designated Iranians to MFA Director for Bilateral Affairs Dhafer Al Umran. Al Umran agreed on the need to remain vigilant regarding the travel of designated Iranians and said that the government had taken measures to restrict and control the travel of Iranian citizens in general to Bahrain. Previously, the Bahraini Embassy in Tehran would issue visas to Iranians within 24 hours of application. Now the MFA requires that the Embassy receive clearance from Manama before issuing a visa, following a full vetting by the GOB. Additionally, Iranian citizens used to be able to receive transit visas upon arrival at Bahrain International Airport that would permit them to enter the country for at least one day. Immigration authorities at the airport, Al Umran said, could no longer issue transit visas to Iranians. ¶2. (C) P/E Chief passed Al Umran the list of designated entities and individuals from the annex of UNSCR 1747. Al Umran said he would give the information to a senior official at the Ministry of Interior and stress that the MOI should add the names to Bahrain's watch lists. ********************************************* ******** Visit Embassy Manama's Classified Website: http://www.state.sgov.gov/p/nea/manama/ ********************************************* ******** MONROE