Bahrain rejects Hormuz talks with Iran before diplomatic ties restored

Bahrain’s Foreign Ministry said Saturday that the Kingdom will not take part in any proposed collective meeting on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz that includes Iran until diplomatic relations between the two countries are restored.

The ministry said Bahrain had conveyed its position to Oman through official channels, while expressing appreciation for Muscat’s “sincere efforts” to facilitate dialogue.

Bahrain cites attacks on civilian infrastructure

Bahrain said dialogue cannot be based on “ignoring facts,” pointing to attacks that have targeted the Kingdom’s infrastructure, including an attack on an ammonia tank that it said could have led to a major disaster.

The ministry also cited Friday’s attack on the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia, saying the incident underscores the continued threat to civilian infrastructure in the region.

Bahrain stressed that regional security cannot be achieved through appeasement or overlooking attacks, outlining four principles it said should underpin peace: an end to attacks, international responsibility and compensation for damages, respect for state sovereignty and a ban on using national territory to attack neighboring countries, and resolving outstanding disputes through legal channels.

Bahrain sets conditions for Hormuz arrangement

The Kingdom also reiterated that any arrangement governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must be based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and adopted by the International Maritime Organization.

Bahrain said such an arrangement must guarantee the right of transit passage for all vessels without discrimination or fees and include the participation of all Gulf Cooperation Council states.

The statement comes as regional diplomatic efforts intensify over the security and navigation of the Strait of Hormuz, with Oman seeking to facilitate talks involving Iran and Gulf countries.