Washington, D.C.: Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder provided a readout of a phone call between Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister, His Royal Highness Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa. The conversation focused on reaffirming the strong U.S.-Bahrain defense relationship and discussing regional security issues.
Secretary Austin expressed gratitude for Bahrain’s contributions to regional stability and reiterated the United States’ unwavering commitment to security cooperation with Bahrain. The discussion addressed regional security concerns, including Houthi threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Both leaders emphasized their shared commitment to ensuring the free flow of commerce in the region.–News Desk