At Al-Riffa Palace in Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Crown Prince, received Adm. Brad Cooper, Commander of the U.S. Central Command, in February 2026.
During the meeting, His Highness stressed the importance of continued cooperation and coordination between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the United States at all levels, especially in the defense sector.
This military cooperation proved essential when Iran launched attacks on Bahrain in late February and early March 2026. Iran has long sponsored terrorist groups to destabilize Bahrain, straining relations between the two countries.
In 2019, a Bahraini court sentenced 139 people to prison for forming terrorist groups backed by Iran.
The small Arabian Gulf island is one of the most dependable U.S. security partners in the world. In September 2023, Bahrain and the U.S. signed the Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA) to promote defense, economic and technological partnerships.
Aimed at shoring up security and stability in the region, C-SIPA has become a model for boosting defense collaboration and international unity in responding to challenges related to global terrorism.
In addition to holding combined training with U.S. troops, such as the International Maritime Exercise, Bahrain acquires advanced U.S. weapons for its compact but resilient defense force.
A Major U.S. Non-NATO Ally since 2001, Bahrain hosts the headquarters for the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet and the U.S.-led Combined Maritime Forces.
Sources: Bahrain Defence Force, U.S. Central Command, crownprince.bh