Manama’s white flags for Tehran

 Manama recalled its ambassador in March 2011 over Tehran's strong condemnation of Manama's brutal crackdown on protests. Tehran also retaliated by recalling its envoy from Manama after peninsula shield force entered Bahrain. Iran has not announced yet any decision for a similar move to send back its envoy. Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian says Islamic Republic has no plan to reinstate its ambassador to Manama as long as [Bahraini regime’s] repression of protesters continues.
In late August, Bahrain raised another white flag for Tehran. Manama sent its FM to NAM Summit in Tehran. Sources have informed Bahrain Observer that high-level political consultation had been made for this visit and Tehran has promised that there would be no word on Bahrain in that summit. Iran FM Ali Akbar Salehi met his Bahraini counterpart at the sideline of the summit. It was the second diplomatic meeting between two sides since the start of uprising in Bahrain. Two FMs had met for the first time in New York last year. Iranian media and religious circle criticized Salehi for last year’s meeting. But last week’s meeting did not bring criticism. After Tehran summit, Manama just like Cairo wanted Tehran’s apology over mistranslation of Morsi’s speech in Iran state TV that interpreter reportedly replaced the word "Syria" with "Bahrain". But apart from this issue, Iranian officials did not mention any name of Bahrain in their speeches. Bahrain news agency that reflected the meeting between Salehi and Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al-Khalifa said two sides discussed expansion of bilateral ties.
However Manama’s official propaganda has accused Tehran of interfering in Bahrain’s internal affairs. Meanwhile Bahrain Independent Commission of Inquiry (Bassiouni Commission) which was established by King Hamad, rejected claims that protests were instigated by Iran & the commission did not find proof of an Iran link to the unrest.
Meantime there have been some indications recently of Manama’s willingness to concession with opposition. Last month, Bahraini Crown Prince Sheikh Salman asked security forces to show some restrain in confronting protesters. Also Bahrain’s interior ministry after a two-month ban on demos gave permission for protest on August 30 that was coincided with Non-Aligned Movement summit in Tehran.
It seems Manama understands that a solution to current uprising -which has paralyzed its political and economic achievements- cannot be reached without a tensionless relation with Tehran. On the other hand, main opposition group Al-Wefaq has always acknowledged that tension between Tehran and Riyadh& Manama is not in favor of Bahraini people.
Bahrain is a tiny island with political-religious & ethnic diversity, which has got involved in elusive crisis. The presence of different internal, international and regional players has more complicated the situation. This island hosts oldest US military base (US navy’s fifth fleet). This is while ruling establishment has strong economic and security ties with neighboring Saudi Arabia. Iran also has influence in Bahrain’s society. Three influential powers in Bahrain did not have any inclination towards collective diplomacy. Especially US & Saudi Arabia have not shown any willingness to cooperate with Iran for solving this limbo.
Is it time for Iran to use diplomatic solutions in Bahrain? We should wait & see what would be Iranian reaction to Manama’s white flags. Also we should see if Iranian leaders would use this opportunity to boost their diplomatic role in this crisis.