If the Iranians have a secure Bandar Abbas (port) why in the world would they (and the powers to be ) have their eyes on Bahrain? ya’ gotta’ know this- those Iranians don’t mess with Arabs and right now the country of Iran is total political upheaval and it’s not getting the press it deserves and the world is watching!
I think it is a critical chess board piece for them, IMHO, in the Persian Gulf. Ruling Sunni (are) in place, of course, but a strong and credible Shiite population bubbling up from below, and getting stronger as we speak. They have more of an allegience to Teheran as anywhere else. A small insignificant island you might think but there is potential power in urging or facilitating Bahrain into the Iranian orbit. In many respects I think they are well on the way as it is.