A proposed regional ministerial meeting bringing together Iran and Gulf states was due to take place in Oman on September 14 to discuss the situation in the Strait of Hormuz and possible arrangements for commercial shipping through one of the world’s most important waterways. The meeting has since been postponed, but even before that announcement Bahrain had made its position clear, it would not participate.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that Bahrain would not take part in the proposed meeting and, more significantly, would not participate in any collective meeting involving Iran until diplomatic relations between the two countries are restored. Bahrain had already communicated this position to Oman through official channels.
This should not be mistaken for Bahrain rejecting diplomacy. The Kingdom specifically reaffirmed its appreciation for Oman’s diplomatic efforts and its commitment to dialogue as a means of resolving disputes. But dialogue cannot take place as though nothing has happened.
Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran in January 2016 amid continued Iranian interference in the internal affairs of Bahrain and other Gulf states, support for extremists, weapons smuggling and attacks on Saudi Arabia’s diplomatic missions in Tehran and Mashhad.
A decade later, the problem is not simply history. Iranian aggression has crossed further lines. Bahrain has faced attacks on its infrastructure and civilian facilities during the current conflict. As the Foreign Ministry itself made clear, dialogue cannot be based on ignoring realities on the ground.
Building Trust
Bahrain is a country that has consistently chosen diplomacy, coexistence and regional stability. But diplomacy requires two sides that are serious about achieving it.
There has been considerable public support in Bahrain for the decision not to participate. Bahraini MPs and community leaders have repeatedly been outspoken about Iran’s need to respect Bahrain’s sovereignty and stop interference, aggression and threats against the Kingdom.
These are not unreasonable conditions for dialogue. They are the foundations of relations between sovereign states. The road towards meaningful talks therefore requires confidence building measures. Iran must demonstrate that it is serious about respecting its Arab neighbours, their sovereignty and their security.
Geography cannot be changed. Iran and the Gulf Arab states share the same neighbourhood and the same waters. Eventually, they must find a sustainable path towards coexistence. A peaceful and prosperous Gulf benefits Bahrain, the other GCC states, Iran and, most importantly, ordinary people throughout the region.
Yet the actions of the Islamic Republic continue to make that coexistence increasingly difficult.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has recently adopted a noticeably more conciliatory tone. He has spoken about ending the war and said that Iran is not at war with Saudi Arabia, while calling on regional countries to work together for peace and security. Those statements should be welcomed in principle. But they remain difficult to reconcile with events on the ground.
Iran backed groups continue to threaten the security of Arab states. The Houthis have continued attacks against Saudi Arabia, while armed groups operating from Iraq have also presented serious security concerns. Tehran cannot speak the language of peaceful coexistence while forces it has supported for years continue threatening its neighbours.
The contrast also raises a broader question about the different messages emerging from Tehran. Pezeshkian may genuinely favour a different relationship with Iran’s Arab neighbours. But conciliatory statements from the presidency mean little unless they are reflected in the actions of the Islamic Republic’s wider political and military establishment, particularly the IRGC.
Peace Begins With Respect
Bahrain’s decision should therefore not be interpreted as closing the door to peace. It is a reminder that there must be something meaningful on the other side of that door. Any future dialogue must begin with respect for sovereignty. It requires an end to attacks and interference, recognition of the security of neighbouring states and a willingness to resolve disputes through diplomacy and international law. For decades, this has been precisely where the Islamic Republic has failed.
Bahrain and the wider Gulf have every interest in seeing a peaceful Iran. There is no benefit to permanent confrontation between peoples who have lived across the same waters for centuries. We should hope for stability and prosperity for the Iranian people just as we seek it for the Arab states of the Gulf.
But lasting regional peace requires an Iran that can coexist with its neighbours rather than threaten them. The Gulf and Iran managed such a relationship before Khomeini’s revolution of 1979 transformed Iranian foreign policy and introduced an ideology built partly around exporting the revolution beyond Iran’s borders.
There can be a path back to coexistence. Bahrain has not rejected dialogue. It has simply made clear that dialogue cannot be separated from responsibility. If Tehran genuinely wants a new relationship with its Arab neighbours, respect for their sovereignty would be the right place to start.