Relationship dossier
Bahrain
Iran
Relationship assessment
Bahrain and Iran have a history of mistrust, with a 2024 agreement to restore diplomatic relations.
Bahrain toward Iran
-40Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran in 2016, citing attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran and wider regional tensions. Bahrain has also accused the Iranian government of interference in its internal affairs. The 2024 agreement to restore relations represents a subsequent step toward engagement.
Iran toward Bahrain
-40Iran has criticized Bahrain over its treatment of opposition groups, while Bahrain has accused Iran of interfering in its internal affairs. These disputes have contributed to recurring bilateral mistrust. In 2024, Iran agreed with Bahrain to restore diplomatic relations.
Overall relationship
-35The relationship has been persistently strained by Bahrain's allegations of Iranian interference and Iranian criticism of Bahrain's handling of domestic opposition. Bahrain's 2016 break in relations underscores the seriousness of the disputes, while the 2024 agreement to restore diplomatic ties indicates a move toward renewed engagement.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Bahrain–Iran relations have been shaped by recurring mistrust and disputes over alleged Iranian interference in Bahrain, alongside a recent effort to restore diplomatic ties. Bahrain severed relations with Iran in 2016 after attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran. In 2024, the two governments agreed to restore diplomatic relations, marking a significant but limited improvement against a longer history of tension.
Areas of tension
- Bahraini allegations of Iranian interference in Bahrain's internal affairs.
- Iranian criticism of Bahrain's treatment of opposition groups.
- Regional tensions surrounding the 2016 rupture of diplomatic relations.
Key developments
Bahrain severed diplomatic relations with Iran amid regional tensions following attacks on Saudi diplomatic missions in Iran.
Bahrain and Iran agreed to restore diplomatic relations after meetings between their foreign ministers.
Major uncertainties
- The practical scope and implementation of the 2024 agreement to restore diplomatic relations are unclear.
- The extent of Iranian government involvement in the activities Bahrain has characterized as interference remains disputed.