Iran, Bahrain Agree to Resume Diplomatic Ties

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Facts

• Following a meeting on Sunday between acting Iranian Foreign Minister Ali Bagheri Kani and Bahrain's Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid al-Zayani, both countries agreed to 'establish the necessary mechanisms' to start talks aimed at restoring political relations.¹
• A joint statement referred to the 'fraternal historical relations' between the two countries, underlining the bonds of religion, neighborhood, and shared history, as well as the 'common interests' that it said connect Tehran and Manama.²
• The talks took place in Iran, where al-Zayani attended the summit of the Kuwait-headquartered Asian Cooperation Dialogue, founded in Thailand in 2002. The alliance aims to promote Asia's competitiveness on the world stage.³
• This comes after Mohammad Jamshidi, Iran's deputy chief of staff for political affairs, announced in early June that Bahrain had sent a message to Iran via Russia signaling its willingness to restore ties with Iran.⁴
• In 2016, Bahrain and Saudi Arabia cut diplomatic ties with Iran after Iranian protesters attacked Saudi Arabia's diplomatic mission in Iran over Riyadh's execution of a Shia cleric. Saudi Arabia and Iran resumed diplomatic relations last year.⁵

Sources: ¹Al Jazeera, ²Bna, ³Irna, ⁴Iran Front Page and ⁵The Siasat Daily.

Narratives

• Pro-Iran narrative, as provided by PressTV. The agreement marks a significant step in mending strained bilateral ties by expressing both countries' commitment to dialog and reconciliation. Tehran believes that normalizing diplomatic relations and enhancing mutual understanding is the only way to resolve various issues that have caused friction in the past. Postponing the restoration of diplomatic ties would be counterproductive, and Bahrain should accept Iran's move to promote regional stability and its national security interests.
• Anti-Iran narrative, as provided by Arab News Japan. The signs may point towards a detente, but Bahrain should remain skeptical. Not only does Iran constantly interfere in Bahrain's domestic affairs, but Tehran is also sheltering several wanted Bahraini opposition figures. In addition, Iran links the resumption of bilateral ties to the opposition's return to Bahrain and the release of suspicious Shiite prisoners. The Gulf kingdom should think twice about whether the restoration of relations with the Iranian regime is worth the price.
• Establishment-critical narrative, as provided by Daily. The fact that Russia brokered the Iran-Bahrain warming is the latest proof of Russia's increasing diplomatic weight in the region. While the West used to dominate the Middle East, sowing chaos and discord, Moscow is committed to peace and stability — as evidenced by its efforts to end the Gaza war. The looming reconciliation between Bahrain and Iran will further enhance Moscow's regional prestige at the West's expense.

Predictions