Iraqi Prime Minister Ali Faleh al-Zaidi has met Bahrain’s king and its crown prince in Manama. His office said the trip was the first visit to the kingdom by an Iraqi prime minister since 2003.
During the visit on 4 November, al-Zaidi met King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and held separate talks with Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who is also Bahrain’s prime minister. The meetings covered bilateral relations and regional security, alongside aspirations for closer economic and political cooperation.
Al-Zaidi invited the king to visit Iraq. The Iraqi prime minister’s office said he wanted to revive the countries’ historic relationship and expand cooperation in trade and investment, as well as political and social affairs. A date for the proposed visit to Iraq remains unclear.
The Bahraini crown prince received al-Zaidi at Gudaibiya Palace, where the two prime ministers led their delegations in expanded discussions. The two prime ministers considered opportunities for closer cooperation and coordination, as well as regional and international developments.
Bahrain’s foreign, finance and interior ministers were among the officials present. An official reception featured the two countries’ national anthems, and the crown prince hosted a lunch for the visiting delegation.
Both governments spoke of a desire for stronger economic partnerships. But the discussions were framed as an exploration of opportunities rather than the announcement of specific investments. No agreements or memorandums of understanding were announced following the expanded talks.
Security was another part of the agenda. Al-Zaidi’s office said Iraq and Bahrain shared security interests and that he wanted closer coordination on regional and international issues. Bahrain said the crown prince thanked Iraq for its solidarity and for condemning what Bahrain described as Iranian aggression against the kingdom.
A relationship with a difficult history
The first visit by an Iraqi prime minister since 2003 does not mean that the countries had no diplomatic relations in the intervening years. Bahrain appointed an ambassador to Iraq in 2008, its first since the US-led invasion of Iraq in 2003.
Relations have also experienced serious strains. In 2019, Bahrain recalled its ambassador for consultations after demonstrators entered the courtyard of its embassy in Baghdad and took down its flag. The protest followed a US-sponsored meeting in Bahrain on Israeli-Palestinian peace. Iraq condemned the attack and said it was committed to protect diplomatic missions.
There have been more recent contacts between the governments. Iraq’s foreign ministry said its foreign minister, Fuad Hussein, met his Bahraini counterpart, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, in Amman on 22 June 2026. They discussed bilateral cooperation and regional developments on the sidelines of Arab League meetings.
Wider regional meetings
The Bahrain visit followed other trips by al-Zaidi in the region. In Jordan on 26 October, he met King Abdullah II. The Iraqi and Jordanian prime ministers also oversaw the signing of nine memorandums of understanding and executive programmes, covering fields including education, the environment and support for small and medium-sized businesses.
Two days later, al-Zaidi travelled to Damascus for talks with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Their discussions included trade and the movement of Iraqi oil through Syria.
Featured image: AI-generated illustration.
