Bahraini officials have previously said Manama is seeking to improve relations with Tehran after years of tensions.
Bahrain has sent a request through Russia to restore diplomatic relations with Iran, Iranian media reported, citing presidential adviser Mohammad Jamshidi.
Friday's reports come after several public statements by Bahraini officials who expressed their willingness to restore ties with Iran after years of tensions between the two countries.
“Bahrain has sent a message to Iran through Russia to normalize relations with Iran,” Iran's Press TV quoted Jamshidi as saying.
Manama had cut diplomatic relations with Tehran in 2016 after rising tensions between Saudi Arabia and Iran. Bahrain also accused Iran of participating in the anti-government protests that swept the country in 2011.
Saudi Arabia normalized its own relations with Iran as part of a deal brokered by China last year.
Last month, during a visit to Moscow, Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa said the Gulf island hopes to improve relations with Iran.
Bahrain's state news agency BNA quoted him as saying there was no reason to delay the resumption of relations between the two countries.
King Hamad reiterated that message when he met Chinese Premier Li Qiang in Beijing last week.
“As advocates of peace, tolerance and human coexistence, we believe in adopting a peaceful and diplomatic approach, based on principles of good neighborliness and non-interference in internal affairs,” Hamad said, according to BNA.
“We seek to resume diplomatic relations with Iran as a neighbor, and we appreciate your support of this effort to promote peace and stability in the region.”
Last month, Bahrain's monarch sent a cable to Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei to express his condolences over the death of President Ibrahim Raisi, who died in a helicopter crash.
In 2020, Bahrain signed an agreement to establish formal ties with Israel – Iran's bitter rival – as part of a US-brokered effort. Two years later, the Gulf country signed a security cooperation agreement with Israel.
In December, Bahrain joined a U.S.-led military coalition to counter attacks on international shipping lanes by Yemen's Houthis, allies of Iran.
The Yemeni group has vowed to continue attacking Israeli-linked ships within reach, especially in the Red Sea, until the Israeli government ends the war in Gaza, which has killed more than 36,000 Palestinians.
