MANAMA -- Bahrain's King Hamad Bin Issa Al-khalifa flew to Tehran on Saturday for the first visit to Iran by the head of state of the gulf monarchy since the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the official BNA news agency said.

Sheikh Hamad was during a two-day stay to seek to "develop and enhance cordial relations bonding the two Islamic nations" during talks with Iranian President Mohammad Khatami.

They would also review "the latest regional and international developments", BNA said.

Bahrain normalised relations with Iran after 1997, with the rise to power of the reformist Khatami, exchanging ambassadors in january 1999.

The king's delegation included Foreign Minister Mohammad Bin Mubarak Al-khalifa, Trade and Industry Minister Ali Saleh Al-saleh and Finance Minister Abdullah Saif. The foreign minister said Thursday,"The visit should contribute to strengthening economic and trade cooperation between the two countries.