Ties with Iran regain traction

TDT | Manama

Email: mail@newsofbahrain.com

As Iran and the United States entered a third consecutive week of nuclear negotiations with growing optimism, Bahrain has confirmed it is actively laying the groundwork to re-establish diplomatic ties with Tehran.

Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani said that preparations for a series of official meetings are underway. Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet, cut diplomatic ties with Iran in 2016 a day after Saudi A r a b i a did so because of attacks on the Saudi embassy in Tehran.

Quoting His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, Dr Al Zayani stated there was “was no reason to hold off re-opening diplomatic ties with Irann,” highlighting mutual willingness and a shared understanding that future ties must be rooted in good neighbourly conduct and adherence to international law. HM King said this during a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Puting last year in May.

The minister’s remarks came in response to a parliamentary query from MP Mamdouh Abbas Al Saleh, and were further backed by a string of high-level visits. These included Dr Al Zayani’s trip to Tehran on 22 May 2024 to offer condolences over the death of former Iranian president Ebrahim Raisi, his attendance at President Masoud Pezeshkian’s swearing-in on 30 July, and a reciprocal visit by Iranian Foreign Minister Dr Abbas Araghchi to Bahrain on 21 October, where he was received by the King.

Dr Al Zayani revealed that he and Dr Araghchi had agreed to restart formal talks, with both sides stressing that peace and growth in the region can only be achieved through mutual respect and non-interference. Additionally, both nations have discussed the release of Iranian funds frozen in Bahrain as part of the normalization process.

He added that Bahrain’s foreign policy remains anchored in safeguarding national interests, promoting sovereignty, and fostering global cooperation.

Meanwhile, diplomatic activity around the US-Iran talks continues to intensify. The US State Department confirmed that businessman Steve Witkoff, a close associate of former President Donald Trump, will participate in technical discussion s scheduled for Saturday in Oman — where he met Dr Araghchi for the first time on April 12.