Bahrain has decided to return its ambassador to Iraq, in a diplomatic breakthrough that follows the first visit by an Iraqi prime minister to the kingdom in more than two decades.

Bahraini Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani told his Iraqi counterpart, Fuad Hussein, of the decision during a telephone call on Saturday, according to Iraq’s National Iraqi News Agency.

The call reviewed the outcome of Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi’s visit to Bahrain, including his meetings with the King, the Crown Prince and other senior officials, which both sides described as a significant step towards stronger bilateral relations.

Mr Al Zayani expressed gratitude to the Iraqi delegation for the visit and confirmed Bahrain’s decision to send its ambassador back to Baghdad, underlining the kingdom’s commitment to strengthening ties and expanding cooperation. Mr Hussein thanked Bahrain for its hospitality and said Iraq wanted to deepen relations across several areas.

The two ministers also discussed recent regional developments amid continuing tensions in the Middle East, agreeing on the importance of continued coordination, consultation and the exchange of views.

Mr al-Zaidi’s visit to Bahrain on November 4 was the first by an Iraqi prime minister since 2003. He was received by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa before meeting King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. During the talks, Mr al-Zaidi invited the king to visit Iraq and said the visit aimed to revive historic ties and strengthen cooperation in the economic, investment, trade, political and social fields.

The ambassador’s return marks a further step in repairing a relationship that has faced repeated strain. Bahrain recalled its ambassador, Salah Al-Maliki, from Baghdad in June 2019 after protesters breached the area around its embassy.

Ties stabilised with the appointment of Ambassador Khalid Al-Mansour in 2024, but Manama summoned Iraq’s charge d’affaires in April this year to protest against security threats and regional developments.

The decision to restore full ambassadorial representation now signals that both governments want to move past those difficulties, at a time when Gulf states are working to contain the fallout from the war between the United States, Israel and Iran and the fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis in Yemen.

Within Iraq, the visit is also feeding into domestic politics. Amer Al-Fayez, a senior member of Iraq’s Shia Coordination Framework and leader of the Tasmeem Alliance, said the coalition would hold its regular meeting on November 9, at which Mr al-Zaidi is expected to brief members on his Bahrain visit.

The meeting will also address proposed amendments to the Popular Mobilisation Forces and federal budget laws, alongside domestic and regional security and Iraq’s role in maintaining regional stability, Mr Al-Fayez said.