Bahraini officials have previously said Manama seeks to improve relations with Tehran after years of tensions.
Bahrain has sent a request through Russia to reestablish diplomatic relations with Iran, Iranian media outlets reported, citing presidential adviser Mohammad Jamshidi.
Friday’s reports come after several public statements by Bahraini officials expressing openness to restoring ties with Iran following years of tensions between the two countries.
“Bahrain sent a message to Iran through Russia to normalize relations with Iran,” said Jamshidi, quoted by Iran’s Press TV.
Manama cut diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016 following a rise in tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Bahrain also accused Iran of involvement in the anti-government protests that swept the country in 2011.
Saudi Arabia normalized its own relations with Iran as part of a deal brokered by China last year.
Last month, during a visit to Moscow, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said the Gulf island hopes to improve relations with Iran.
Bahrain’s state news agency BNA quoted him as saying there was no reason to delay the resumption of relations between the two countries.
King Hamad reiterated this message when he met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing last week.
“As defenders of peace, tolerance and human coexistence, we believe in adopting a peaceful and diplomatic approach, based on principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs,” Hamad said, according to the BNA.
“We seek to resume diplomatic ties with Iran as a neighbor and welcome its support for this effort to promote peace and stability in the region.”
Last month, Bahrain’s monarch sent a telegram to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to express condolences over the death of President Ibrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash.
In 2020, Bahrain signed an agreement to establish formal ties with Israel – Iran’s biggest rival – as part of a US-brokered effort. Two years later, the Gulf country signed a security cooperation agreement with Israel.
In December, Bahrain joined a US-led military coalition to combat attacks on international shipping lanes by Yemen’s Houthis in Iran.
The Yemeni group has vowed to continue attacking Israeli-linked ships within its reach, especially in the Red Sea, until the Israeli government ends the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians.
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