Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani during a press conference, in Tehran, Iran, December 5, 2022. ATTA KENARE / AFP
Iran hopes to restore its ties with Bahrain, a Gulf country that broke diplomatic relations in 2016 to support Saudi Arabia, its diplomacy announced on Monday March 13, after a recent rapprochement between Tehran and Riyadh.
“With the positive atmosphere prevailing in the region following the resumption of relations with Arabia, this positive development is expected to occur with other countries in the region, including Bahrainsaid Foreign Ministry spokesman Nasser Kanani during his weekly press briefing.
“The success of the diplomatic solution”
Sunni Saudi Arabia and Shia Iran severed ties more than seven years ago after protesters in the Islamic Republic attacked Saudi diplomatic missions following Riyadh’s execution of a famous cleric Shi’ite. Other Gulf countries including Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates and Kuwait subsequently reduced their diplomatic ties with Tehran to support Riyadh.
On Friday March 10, Tehran and Ryad announced that they would restore their diplomatic relations within two months following talks in China. Tehran, satisfied with the rapprochement with the Saudis, believes that “relations between Iran and Bahrain are no exception to this ruleadded Nasser Kanani.
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In recent months, the Emirates and Kuwait had resumed diplomatic relations with Iran. “The resumption of political relations between Iran and Saudi Arabia shows the effectiveness and success of the diplomatic solution to resolve misunderstandings“said Nasser Kanani. Bahrain has repeatedly accused Iran of supporting a Shia uprising against Sunni power to overthrow the government in Manama, a charge Tehran denies.