Bahrain and Iran move closer to restoring diplomatic ties

TEHRAN – Bahrain’s foreign ministry has announced continued efforts to re-establish diplomatic ties with Iran, signaling a significant step towards reconciliation between the two nations.

Bahrain cut ties with Iran in 2016, a move that mirrored Saudi Arabia’s, after Iranian protesters, enraged by the execution of prominent Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr by the Saudi government, stormed its diplomatic mission in Iran.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the ministry stressed that Bahrain’s foreign policy is based on protecting the country’s sovereignty, advancing national interests and promoting regional stability. The statement highlighted the Kingdom’s commitment to good neighborliness, non-interference in the affairs of other countries and the promotion of cooperation through mutual respect. Specifically, the ministry said it is working to establish the necessary legal framework with Iran to fully restore diplomatic ties. Recent mutual visits, it added, have paved the way for renewed discussions on this goal.

These efforts are being carried out under the leadership of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the continued support of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the statement added.

The push for restored relations comes after a landmark agreement in March 2023, brokered in Beijing, in which Saudi Arabia and Iran agreed to reopen embassies. This broader regional shift toward reconciliation has paved the way for Bahrain’s efforts.

A key meeting in October further highlighted the warming relationship. During Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Manama, discussions centered on regional developments, including the escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Araghchi urged regional cooperation to stop Israeli barbarism, citing the conflict in Gaza and aggression in Lebanon. King Hamad, in turn, expressed his desire for peace and dignity for all people in the region and also expressed his intention to visit Tehran.

The context for these discussions includes the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where Israeli attacks have tragically resulted in the deaths of at least 45,541 Palestinians, primarily women and children, and the injury of over 108,000.

Iran is also on the verge of restoring ties with Egypt after four decades without official ties. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian’s visit to Cairo in December has further raised the prospect of a full détente.