“The two parties agreed to set up the required mechanisms to initiate talks between the two countries to discuss the resumption of political relations between them,” read a joint statement following a meeting between Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani and Iran’s acting Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani in Tehran.
The meeting between the two top diplomats came within the framework of historical relations and bonds of religion, neighborliness, and common interest that connects the two countries, the statement added.
Iran and Saudi severed ties in 2016 when Iranian protestors attacked the Saudi diplomatic mission in Tehran in retaliation to the kingdom's execution of a prominent Shiite cleric. Manama cut ties with Tehran days after in solidarity with Riyadh.
Tehran and Riyadh agreed to restore ties in a landmark Chinese-brokered deal in March of 2023, paving the way for further rapprochement between Iran and the Gulf countries.
Iran’s late Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian expressed hope to work toward normalizing relations with Bahrain following the agreement with Saudi Arabia. Foreign ministry spokesperson Nasser Kanaani said a month later that an Iranian delegation had been sent to Manama for talks, without providing further elaboration.
