Bahrain Mirror: Bahrain announced on Monday that it will join a US-led maritime coalition to counter Iranian threats to freedom of navigation in the Arabian Gulf. Bahrain, which hosts the US Navy's 5th Fleet, is the first Arabian Gulf country to officially join the coalition.

King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa revealed the decision during a meeting in Manama with the head of the US Central Command, General Kenneth McKenzie.

Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad was also present as the king hosted Gen McKenzie at Al Safriya Palace on Monday morning, the Bahraini News Agency reported.

"The king confirmed the Kingdom of Bahrain's participation in the joint effort to preserve the safety of international maritime navigation and secure international corridors for trade and energy in the region," BNA said.

King Hamad referred to the "steadily growing military and defence co-operation" with the United States during his meeting with Gen McKenzie, BNA reported.

General McKenzie visited Bahrain as part of larger Gulf tour. He met defence officials in Oman at the weekend.

The kingdom will also host a maritime security meeting later this year, Bahrain's foreign minister Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa said during a visit to Washington last month.

The US initiative was launched after several attacks on tankers in the region's waters since May, in what Washington sees as a co-ordinated effort by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps to threaten freedom of navigation near the Strait of Hormuz.

Britain announced its participation earlier this month. Australia and South Korea are leaning towards joining, while France and Germany have declined to take part.

Bahrain-US ties have strengthened under the Trump administration. Manama was the venue for the "peace for prosperity" conference in June at which the US unveiled the economic component of its plan for Israeli-Palestinian peace.

Arabic Version