King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa of Bahrain received Adm. Charles Bradford Cooper II, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), in Manama on Thursday to discuss military cooperation. The meeting focused on strengthening the longstanding defense and military ties between Bahrain and the United States, according to the Bahrain News Agency (BNA).
Key Discussions on Regional Security
King Hamad, who serves as the supreme commander of Bahrain’s armed forces, emphasized the crucial role of the US in ensuring regional and global security and promoting international peace. The two leaders reviewed efforts to enhance regional stability and specifically discussed the recent Iranian attacks on Bahrain and other Middle Eastern nations.
Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet, was among ten countries in the Middle East targeted by Iran with missile and drone attacks during the US-Israel conflict with Tehran. The conflict began on February 28 and escalated across the region for over 100 days.
Recent US-Iran Agreement
Last month, the US and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding to end hostilities and initiate negotiation rounds on critical issues, including Iran’s nuclear program and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. The meeting between King Hamad and Admiral Cooper underscored the importance of ongoing coordination between Bahrain and the US in defense and military sectors, reaffirming their friendship and alliance.
