Tehran’s arms open for all neighbors
By Majid Qannadbashi
Mideast affairs expert
Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that there is no reason to postpone the resumption of diplomatic relations with the Islamic Republic of Iran. Also, a delegation led by the kingdom’s Foreign Minister Abdullatif al-Zayani visited Tehran last week to offer his condolences on the tragic death of Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, who was killed alongside seven others in a helicopter crash in northwest Iran on May 19.
Following the agreement reached between Iran and Saudi Arabia in March 2023, which led to the revival of diplomatic relations between the two countries, it was foreseeable that other Arab countries would also lean towards Iran.
However, Bahrain’s stance differs from that of other Arab countries, notably due to its normalization of relations with Israel.
Nonetheless, Bahrain is not an exception in Iran’s regional policies. The Islamic Republic of Iran bases its regional policy on reducing tensions and enhancing cooperation. As a result, considering the positive response of the Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson to Bahrain’s expression of willingness to normalize bilateral relations, it seems that in the near future, we may witness serious discussions between the two states to resolve some misunderstandings and differences and revitalize diplomatic relations.
The new approach of the Bahraini government must be attributed to various factors. Among these, attention must be paid to the policy of Saudi Arabia, which after several years decided in favor of its own interests and the region by reviving political relations with Iran. When the bigger brother moves towards Iran, it is natural for the smaller brothers to follow suit.
Another factor contributing to Iran’s diplomatic and regional policies traces back to figures such as President Ebrahim Raisi and Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.