King Hamad Bin Eisa Al Khalifa last March said during a meeting with President George W. Bush in Washington D.C. that Bahrain would re-open its embassy in Baghdad and name an ambassador there.

The decision was praised by Bush as "a very strong move that indicates a willingness to lead, as well as a willingness to send a signal that when a young democracy like Iraq is beginning to make progress, it is important for the neighbourhood to recognise that progress".