Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met with Bahrain’s Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa on Thursday to strengthen military ties between the two nations.
The Pentagon announced the meeting focused on regional security and maritime cooperation.
The high-level talks underscore Bahrain’s strategic importance as host to the U.S. Navy’s Fifth Fleet since 1995. The small Gulf kingdom remains a critical partner for American military operations in the Middle East.
Hegseth praised Bahrain’s “unwavering support for U.S. servicemembers and their families stationed across the Kingdom,” according to a White House press release.
The two leaders discussed expanding maritime security cooperation amid persistent regional tensions.
The meeting aligned with what officials called “President Trump’s vision for Peace through Strength.” Both sides committed to advancing shared strategic objectives in the region.
Bahrain serves as the headquarters for U.S. Naval Forces Central Command. The kingdom hosts approximately 8,000 American military personnel and dependents.
Neither side disclosed specific new agreements or initiatives from the talks. The readout emphasized continuity in the longstanding security relationship between the two allies.
