Washington: US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Thursday reaffirmed Washington’s security commitment to Bahrain during talks with King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, as both countries pledged closer cooperation on regional security, freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Rubio met the Bahraini monarch in Manama, during which he reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to Bahrain’s security and the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA), which underpins bilateral strategic cooperation.
“The United States’ commitment to Bahrain’s security and the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA)” was reaffirmed during the meeting, the State Department said.
The two sides also reaffirmed their shared vision for regional stability, safe transit through the Strait of Hormuz and ensuring that Iran does not acquire nuclear weapons.
The meeting came hours after Rubio co-chaired the ministerial meeting between the United States and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), where regional leaders discussed the implementation of the June 17 memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran and broader security issues across the Gulf.
During the bilateral meeting, Rubio and King Hamad also explored ways to expand economic cooperation beyond their longstanding security partnership.
According to the State Department readout, the two discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral economic ties in “energy, artificial intelligence, critical minerals, and other strategic sectors.”
The Secretary also condemned Iran’s recent attacks against Bahrain and reiterated Washington’s support for the kingdom.
“The Secretary condemned Iran’s attacks on Bahrain and reaffirmed unwavering U.S. partnership and solidarity with the Bahraini people,” the State Department said.
Speaking separately to reporters after the GCC ministerial meeting, Rubio said the United States would ensure that Gulf partners remained fully informed throughout negotiations with Iran.
“We’re not going to do anything or agree to anything that they’re not aware of, that our partners in the area are not aware of, that our partners in the area are not aligned with, and that in any way could undermine their security and their stability,” Rubio said.
He also stressed that Washington would continue to oppose any attempt to impose charges on international shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.
“If you are charging money to use the straits, we won’t support it. We won’t tolerate it; we won’t allow it,” Rubio said, describing the issue as one on which there was unanimous agreement among Gulf partners.
The meeting underscored Bahrain’s importance as one of Washington’s closest security partners in the Gulf at a time when regional diplomacy has intensified following the US-Iran memorandum of understanding and efforts to secure a broader regional settlement.
(IANS)
