Bahrain Refuses to Join Iran-Gulf Hormuz Talks in Oman, Citing Lack of Diplomatic Ties Since 2016

Bahrain's Foreign Ministry said Manama 'will not be a party to any collective meeting that includes Iran before the resumption of diplomatic relations between the two countries,' declining to join the Monday, Sept 14 Gulf-Iran meeting in Salalah, Oman on managing Strait of Hormuz shipping. Bahrain severed ties with Iran in 2016 alongside Saudi Arabia, which restored relations in 2023; Manama has not. The ministry said regional security 'cannot be preserved through a policy of appeasement' and called for Hormuz to be open 'without discrimination, fees or permits,' pointing to the pattern of attacks on Gulf infrastructure including the Sept 10 Saudi pipeline strike. Tehran has been negotiating with Oman over a temporary Hormuz management arrangement, including a possible transit-fee mechanism Bahrain and other Gulf states oppose.