Bahraini king says looking forward to improved relations with Iran

The Bahraini monarch has expressed his readiness to mend ties with long-time foe Iran, during a meeting with the Russian president.

MENA

1 min read

The New Arab Staff & Agencies

23 May, 2024

King Hamad said his country is looking forward to improve its relations with Iran [Getty/file photo]

Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said on Thursday in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin that there is no reason to postpone the resumption of diplomatic relations between the kingdom and Iran, state news agency reported.

King Hamad added that the kingdom is looking forward to improve its relations with Iran.

Tiny Bahrain, home to the U.S. Navy Fifth Fleet, has long blamed Tehran for stirring up its own majority Shia Muslim population against Bahrain's Sunni monarchy.

The government came down hard on protests in 2011 when demonstrators, many from the Shia majority, rose up to demand the downfall of Bahrain's monarchy in the Arab Spring. Bahrain partly blamed that unrest on Iran, an accusation Tehran denied.

Bahrain was the only Gulf state to have supported the US and UK strikes against the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen earlier this year after that group launched its Red Sea attacks against shipping.