Bahrain, the United States and the United Kingdom held emergency consultations under Article 2 of the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) to review the current security situation in the region, with a focus on Iran’s actions aimed at destabilizing regional security and stability.
Manama invoked Article 2 of the agreement and began extraordinary consultations on Thursday within the framework of the agreement’s defense working group, according to a statement from Bahrain’s National Communication Center.
The move came in response to missile and drone attacks by Iran that Bahraini authorities said deliberately targeted civilian areas and residential areas in the kingdom.
Bahrain News Agency reported late Friday that Bahrain’s National Security Adviser and Secretary-General of the Supreme Defense Council, Lieutenant General Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, held discussions with the US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, and the UK Chief of Defense Staff, Air Force Commander Richard Knighton.
Participants discussed the urgent need for a coordinated response by allies to what they described as a direct threat to Bahrain’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. Leaders underlined the strength of the partnership between Member States and reaffirmed their commitment to jointly address threats to regional security and stability.
The talks also highlighted the strategic partnership established under the agreement, including commitments to strengthen security cooperation and collective deterrence against external threats. Officials reaffirmed their determination to work together to counter external aggression targeting the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Member States.
Separately, Cooper condemned the Iranian attack in a post on the official CENTCOM account on social media platform X, calling it unacceptable.
He added that the United States will continue to work with regional partners to counter threats that endanger civilians in the region.
In a telephone conversation with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Thursday, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said Britain would deploy four additional Typhoon fighter jets based in Qatar to the region to provide Bahrain with defensive air cover and help strengthen the protection of its airspace.
Bahrain reiterated its commitment to regional stability, the protection of its people, and the defense of its sovereignty. He also called on the international community to recognize the seriousness of Iran’s alleged deliberate targeting of civilian areas and the importance of a unified response from allies that reflects the strength of our security partnership.
