Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa received Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in the Gulf state’s capital Manama on Monday, state media reported, amid fears of conflict potentially spreading across the Middle East.
The pair “discussed bilateral cooperation and the latest regional developments, focusing on efforts to de-escalate tensions and reach peaceful solutions,” according to the official Bahrain News Agency.
Araghchi has for about two weeks been touring the region in a diplomatic effort to tamp down tensions with the region braced for Israel’s promised retaliation for arch-foe Tehran’s missile attack on October 1.
After departing Manama, Araghchi would travel to Kuwait, according to Iran’s ambassador to Kuwait, Mohammad Totonchi.
Araghchi’s tour of the region has also included Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Oman, Iraq, Egypt and Turkey, where he discussed potential ceasefires in Lebanon and Gaza, as well as ways to prevent the conflict from spreading.