Iran’s ‘troublesome role’ in the region, the ongoing situation in war-torn Gaza, Houthi militia’s attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea, and other pressing issues were discussed yesterday by a senior US State Department official, during his visit to Bahrain.
Tim Lenderking, a senior official in the Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, met senior Bahrain officials as he concluded his two-day trip to the kingdom.
He said he was ‘delighted to see the pace’ in which the relations between Washington and Manama were growing, especially with a flurry of visits by senior Bahrain officials to the US recently, including Foreign Minister Dr Abdullatif Al Zayani.
Mr Lenderking told reporters during a media round table at the US Embassy yesterday about his brief meeting with His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, at the unveiling of the Concordia, a monumental stained glass artwork by internationally acclaimed artist Sir Brian Clarke, at Bahrain International Airport.
Issues
“We have talked about all the issues that you would expect, including the very difficult situation that prevails in Gaza, the (US) President’s (Donald Trump) determination to end the attacks by the Houthis in the Red Sea, and the very troublesome role that Iran plays in the region, threatening security of not only this country, but all the Gulf countries, in a very destabilising manner,” said Mr Lenderking.
He said the dynamic relationship between the two nations continues to evolve and strengthen, despite obstacles by non-state actors and conflicts.
“Our (Navy’s) Fifth Fleet is based here, which is a statement of confidence in the relationship between both our sides, for us to put American men and women in uniform here in Bahrain, despite the proximity to Iran,” he said.
“We know that Bahrain has been a target, and there are all kinds of smuggling of lethal material.”
Bahrain has long accused Iran of funding, training and equipping extremists behind a campaign of violence against security personnel in 2011, finally cutting diplomatic ties with Tehran in 2016.
“Bahrain has been threatened and it has been able to rise above the parapet and assert itself as a multiplier for stability,” he said.
“It was bold in establishing relationship with Israel through the Abraham Accords (signed in 2020), and joining a military coalition against the Houthis in Yemen, which are all very important indicators that convey confidence to us in the leadership here.”
Mr Lenderking previously served as the US Special Envoy for Yemen and has served at various positions in Riyadh, Iraq, Kuwait and other countries.
He further added that the much-awaited talks tomorrow between the US and Iran, as announced this week by President Trump, “is a relief to the region”.
However, Iran has said that the discussions in Oman would be indirect.
President Trump, in his first term in 2018, withdrew the 2015 Tehran’s nuclear deal with world powers that placed strict limits on disputed nuclear activities in exchange for sanctions relief. Since then, Iran has far surpassed that deal’s limits on uranium enrichment.
“The President has been very clear that he wants a diplomatic solution to the Iranian issue, particularly the nuclear capability,” Mr Lenderking said.
“Everybody knows the experience of Iran here as it has been meddling, interfering, threatening, and in some cases attacking countries in this region, obviously Saudi Arabia and the UAE, most recently.
“The Houthis are attacking our ships and international commerce with the help and support of the Iranians. So there’s a lot at stake here, and I think we appreciate that we’re going into this with eyes wide open.
“I don’t know of a country in the region that wants Iran to have a nuclear weapon, so I think there’s a lot of support for this negotiation.”
Mr Lenderking added that the US continues to promote peaceful solutions, with security being paramount in Gulf countries, including Bahrain, which have different economic visions.
When asked by the GDN on President Trump’s planned visit next month to Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar, the US official said details and agenda were still being worked out.
“I am sure that regional issues will factor very prominently. We would expect advanced and emerging technology would be key issues, particularly in the Gulf countries,” he added.
“But you know, security is very important for all of the countries and Bahrain is no exception here, and therefore the conflicts, whether it’s Gaza or opportunities in Lebanon and Syria, could very well be part of the agenda, but all of that has yet to be set.”
President Trump earlier imposed trade tariffs on several nations including its Gulf partners (Bahrain 10 per cent), and later declared a 90-days pause on the same tariffs, except for China.
“Tariffs are ‘not meant to punish anybody, but to restore fair and balanced trade relations,” Mr Lenderking said.
“I think the administration is constantly evaluating and re-evaluating the situation, as you know, the initial round of tariffs, many were paused for 90 days, and there’s a particular trade relationship that he’s trying to restore with China that is more balanced and fairer.
“We know that Bahrain is a leading producer of aluminium and this issue came up during Foreign Minister Dr Al Zayani’s recent visit to Washington.
“I think there is indeed a recognition of the importance of the US-Bahrain relationship, the Free Trade Agreement (signed in 2004) that are all looked at, as we evaluate the situation and make the best determination how to go forward.”
Meanwhile, Mr Lenderking also claimed that ‘China’s growing influence in the Middle East’ would potentially threaten US interests.
“We acknowledge that countries have sovereign decisions to make, about their relationships with any country, but we see a trend where China works to undermine, specifically crowd us out, and form economic relationships that we feel are somewhat predatory,” he alleged.
He said the US wouldn’t wish to “see China do anything in the region that would harm our friends, neighbours and US interests.”
sandy@gdnmedia.bh
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