Bahrain Mirror: The US Department of Defense (Pentagon) issued a statement about the meeting held between defense Secretary James Mattis, King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on March 14 at Al-Safriya Palace in Manama.

Pentagon chief spokesperson Dana W. White said that "the three leaders discussed an already-strong defense relationship and the need for Gulf Cooperation Council unity."

Mattis expressed his appreciation for Bahrain's continued support of the U.S. military presence in the kingdom since shortly after World War II, White said, including the Navy's 5th Fleet and U.S. military service members and their families.

The defense secretary also recognized "Bahrain's steadfast contributions to the efforts to defeat the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria".

The pentagon didn't point out at Iran's interference in Bahrain's affairs or its role in the plans the authorities have recently claimed to disclose.

Mattis surprisingly arrived in Bahrain last Wednesday and met Commander-in-Chief of Bahrain Defence Force Khalifa bin Ahmad, King Hamad and the Crown Prince, in two separate meetings.

Arabic Version