Bahrain rejects proposed Gulf-Iran summit until ties restored
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry rejected what it described as a "policy of appeasement" or "overlooking attacks", citing recent strikes on an ammonia tank in Bahrain and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline as evidence that economic and civilian infrastructure remained under threat
Bahrain has declined to attend a proposed Gulf summit with Iran in Oman to discuss maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz, saying it would not participate until diplomatic relations between Manama and Tehran are restored.
The Bahraini Foreign Ministry rejected what it described as a "policy of appeasement" or "overlooking attacks", citing recent strikes on an ammonia tank in Bahrain and drone attacks on Saudi Arabia's East-West pipeline as evidence that economic and civilian infrastructure remained under threat, says Arab News.
Bahrain said lasting regional stability required four conditions: an end to all attacks; international accountability and compensation for damages; respect for state sovereignty and a ban on using another country's territory as a launchpad for attacks; and the resolution of outstanding disputes through legal channels.
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On the Strait of Hormuz, Bahrain said the waterway must remain open without "discrimination, fees or permits". It said maritime traffic should be governed by the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and principles endorsed by the International Maritime Organization.
Oman is set to host a meeting involving Gulf foreign ministers, Iran and Iraq to discuss maritime traffic through the strategically important waterway.
A senior Iranian official said no signed agreement was expected from Monday's meeting. Iran has continued to seek an arrangement that would allow it to collect transit fees from ships passing through the strait, an idea Oman rejects.
