WASHINGTON — The United States’ top military commander in the Middle East took advantage of the ceasefire in the war with Iran to coordinate directly with leaders in Israel and Bahrain this week.
US Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, the head of US Central Command, stopped in Manama to sit down with Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on Monday and met with top Israeli military official Eyal Zamir and others in Tel Aviv on Tuesday.
Why it matters: As Washington has begun enforcing a maritime blockade of Iran’s seaports, the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet is seeking Gulf countries’ support as it prepares to begin sweeping for mines to reopen the strait to commercial traffic. Bahrain is home to the US Navy's Fifth Fleet, and was an early purchaser of unmanned sea drones used in underwater mine detection, a project spearheaded by Cooper when he commanded the US Fifth Fleet during the Biden administration.
President Donald Trump has said "other countries" would be involved in the blockade, but thus far none have publicly confirmed involvement. Two of the United States' closest allies, France and the UK, have said they will not participate.
AL-MONITOR All-Access gives you unlimited access to all our journalism, the full Daily Briefing, exclusive interviews, premium newsletters, and live events — for less than $2/week.