TEHRAN – Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry has announced further efforts to restore 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 move after Iranian protesters angry over the Saudi government’s execution of prominent Shiite cleric Sheikh Nimr Baqir al-Nimr stormed its diplomatic mission in Iran .

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

These efforts are undertaken under the leadership of King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and the continuous support of Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the statement added.

The push to restore ties comes after a landmark deal negotiated in Beijing in March 2023 that saw Saudi Arabia and Iran agree to reopen embassies. This broader regional shift toward reconciliation has paved the way for Bahrain’s efforts.

An important meeting in October further highlighted the warming relationship. During Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi’s visit to Manama, discussions focused on regional developments, including escalating violence in Gaza and Lebanon. Araghchi urged regional cooperation to end Israeli barbarism, citing the conflict in Gaza and aggression in Lebanon. King Hamad, in turn, expressed his wish 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, mostly women and children, and injuries to over 108,000.

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