Bahrain, Iran Agree to Begin Preparation for Talks to Resume Bilateral Relations

DOHA, June 24 (Sputnik) – Bahrain and Iran have agreed to begin preparations for talks to resume bilateral relations after an eight-year hiatus, according to a joint statement released on Monday.

On Sunday, Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani held a bilateral meeting in Tehran during Al Zayani’s visit to Iran to participate in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue.

“During the meeting, the sides agreed to establish the necessary mechanisms to initiate negotiations between the two countries and explore the possibility of resuming political relations,” the joint statement by the Iranian and Bahraini foreign ministries was quoted by the state-run Bahrain News Agency as saying.

Bahrain severed diplomatic ties with Iran in January 2016 after its diplomatic missions in Iran were attacked following the execution of Shiite cleric Nimr al-Nimr.

Saudi Arabia was joined by Bahrain, Sudan, Djibouti, Somalia and the Comoros while the United Arab Emirates downgraded its diplomatic relations with Iran and Kuwait recalled its ambassador. Saudi Arabia restored relations with Iran in September 2023 after their reconciliation was mediated by China.