Standing strong against Iran’s growing nuclear strength: Israel & Bahrain sign a new defense agreement
Israel– Sending a strong message to Iran, their archenemy, Bahrain and Israel have joined hands for cooperation by signing a defense agreement on Thursday. The MoU (memorandum of understanding) was signed by Israeli defense minister Benny Gantz and his Bahraini counterpart in the capital city of Bahrain, Manama. This is a crucial step after the two countries came forward to normalize their relations and signed Abraham Accord in 2020.
Gantz’s office said that the historic agreement is designed to “help advance intelligence cooperation, a framework for exercises” and strengthen ties between Israel’s and Bahrain’s defense industries. The memorandum is Israel’s second such agreement with an Arab country after Gantz had signed one last year with Morocco.
The defense agreement comes at a crucial time when regional tension is heating up amid turmoil over reviving of Iran nuclear deal (JCPOA – Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action), in an attempt to check Tehran’s growing nuclear strength. United States and Israel have accused Tehran of orchestrating multiple attacks on vessels in Gulf, including Israeli cargo carriers.
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Gantz along with his Bahraini counterpart had recently visited the headquarters of the U.S. Navy’s 5th Fleet in the strategically located Persian Gulf country. The delegation made a visit to U.S. guided-missile destroyer, the USS Cole, and discussed modes on how to cooperate in the extremely volatile region. “This strategic cooperation is critical in facing developing challenges in the region,” Gantz said. “Deepening cooperation will enable us to maintain regional stability and to defend the common interests of Israel, the United States and Bahrain.”
“This visit highlights the importance of the U.S. 5th Fleet’s decades-long strategic relationship with Bahrain and expanding partnership with Israel following the recent alignment of Israel to U.S. Central Command,” said U.S. Vice Adm. Brad Cooper in a statement issued by Israel’s Defense Ministry. “We are always at our best when we work together with our international partners.”