Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifah has announced efforts to restore diplomatic relations with Iran after an eight-year hiatus. The 74-year-old monarch made the remarks during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in Beijing, where he is on a state visit.
King Hamad emphasized Bahrain's commitment to peace, dialogue, and diplomacy, highlighting the country's belief in good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs. "We are working to restore diplomatic relations with Iran as a neighbor," he stated.
King Hamad also expressed Bahrain’s appreciation for China’s support in promoting peace and stability in West Asia, and for addressing the situation in Palestine.
This move follows the March 2023 agreement between Iran and Saudi Arabia in Beijing to restore diplomatic relations and reopen embassies. Bahrain severed its diplomatic ties with Iran on January 4, 2016, following the storming of its diplomatic mission in Iran by protesters angered by the Saudi execution of Shia cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr.
Recently, Abdulnabi Salman, the first deputy speaker of Bahrain’s Council of Representatives, indicated Bahrain’s intention to revive diplomatic relations with Iran. "Resumption of political and commercial relations between the two countries is of great importance, because Iran is a neighboring country and Bahrain supports stable ties with all regional states," Salman said. The initiative has received positive responses from both the Bahraini government and the Council of Representatives.
Earlier in May, during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, King Hamad expressed eagerness to improve relations with Iran, stating there was no reason to delay the restoration of diplomatic ties.
Additionally, last week, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani visited Tehran to offer condolences on the death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raeisi, who perished in a helicopter crash on May 19. This visit further underscores Bahrain’s commitment to re-establishing diplomatic relations with Iran.
