Bahrain Boycotts Strait of Hormuz Talks With Iran Until Ties Restored
Bahrain declared on September 12, 2026, that it will not attend any group or ministerial meeting concerning the Strait of Hormuz involving Iran until formal diplomatic relations between the two countries are restored. The decision leaves regional maritime operators and Middle East security planners without a unified Gulf framework for managing transit through the waterway.
Manama Demands IMO Oversight and Zero Transit Fees for Hormuz Navigation
Bahrain‘s Foreign Ministry officially conveyed its decision to Oman, emphasizing that any international arrangement governing navigation through the Strait of Hormuz must strictly adhere to international law and receive explicit approval from the International Maritime Organization. State media reports confirmed that Manama demands any regional transit agreement protect the passage of all commercial vessels without the imposition of permits, arbitrary fees, or discriminatory access rules. Bahrain cited previous strikes against civilian and economic infrastructure, including the attack on Saudi Arabia’s East-West oil pipeline, as direct justification for its refusal to participate in negotiations alongside Iranian representatives.
The diplomatic impasse follows a US-Iran memorandum of understanding that entered into force in June 2026 to address maritime security in regional waters.
