Manama: In light of what media outlets and social media platforms have circulated regarding a proposed ministerial meeting on the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs clarified that the Kingdom of Bahrain would not participate in it and would not be party to any collective meeting that includes Iran prior to the restoration of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
According to Bahrain News Agency, the ministry has communicated this position to the Sultanate of Oman through official channels. This stance does not diminish the Kingdom's appreciation for Oman's sincere efforts, nor its commitment to dialogue as a means of resolving disputes.
The ministry emphasized that dialogue cannot be built on disregarding facts. Bahrain has been subjected to attacks targeting its infrastructure and civilian assets, including an incident with an ammonia tank that nearly led to a catastrophe. Additionally, the recent targeting of the East-West oil pipeline in Saudi Arabia underscores the ongoing danger to civilian and economic facilities.
The ministry stressed that regional security and stability cannot be achieved by ignoring attacks, remaining silent about their consequences, or through appeasement policies. Bahrain believes that peace relies on four key pillars: ending attacks, establishing international responsibility and redress for damages, respecting state sovereignty, and resolving issues through legal means.
Furthermore, the ministry reiterated Bahrain's position that any arrangement regarding navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be based on the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, include contributions from all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states, and ensure the right of transit passage for all vessels without discrimination.
The ministry reaffirmed Bahrain's commitment, as a member of the United Nations Security Council and a participant in joint Gulf action, to continue working through legal and diplomatic channels to ensure freedom of navigation and regional security. While Bahrain remains open to peace, it insists that peace must be grounded in justice and law.