Department of Defense Spokeswoman Lt. Col. Kimbia Rey provided the following readout:

This week, Assistant Secretary of Defense for International Security Affairs Celeste Wallander and Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Middle East Policy Ambassador Daniel Shapiro met with Bahrain National Security Advisor Sheikh Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa and Deputy National Security Advisor (DNSA) Khalid Bin Ali Al Khalifa to discuss U.S.-Bahrain defense cooperation and the implementation of the September 2023 U.S.-Bahrain Comprehensive Security Integration and Prosperity Agreement (C-SIPA).

On July 15, DASD Shapiro and DNSA Khalid discussed the inaugural C-SIPA Defense Working Group (DWG), which incorporated representatives from the State Department, Defense Department, and Bahrain Defense Force. The DWG presents an important forum for U.S. and Bahraini officials to review the implementation of C-SIPA defense priorities in conjunction with the U.S.-Bahrain Military Consultative Committee (MCC), which occurred on July 16.

On July 19, ASD Wallander met with NSA Sheikh Nasser. The two sides affirmed their support for deepening the bilateral defense partnership and shared their perspectives on critical regional security issues, including the destabilizing actions of Iran and its regional proxies, to include the Houthis. The United States delegation thanked Bahrain for its generous hosting of NAVCENT, as well as its support for U.S.-led efforts to ensure freedom of navigation and the free flow of commerce in the Red Sea.

During the meetings, the delegations discussed opportunities to strengthen the bilateral security relationship by improving information-sharing mechanisms and continuing to develop Bahrain's capabilities through security assistance and capacity-building activities.