From Territorial Dispute to Diplomatic Partnership

During the early 1970s, trade began to flourish. Many Bahraini merchant families had ancestral ties to Iran (the "Larestani" or "Ajam" communities), and these people served as a bridge between the two markets. Direct flights were established, and Tehran became a popular destination for Bahrainis seeking cooler weather and luxury shopping, while Iranian goods filled the souks of Manama.