In remarks at the U.S.-Bahrain Strategic Dialogue, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo described Iran as “the number one threat to Gulf security” and praised Bahrain’s “steadfast support of our maximum pressure campaign”. “We recognise the violent nature of the revolutionary Iranian regime, and we understand that when it comes to countering Tehran and many other important issues, Israel is a key partner, and not a problem”, he added. Bahrain’s foreign minister remarked that Iran’s “malign intent and activities are more blatant than ever”, urged “unrelenting pressure on Iran to become a responsible actor”, and affirmed that “we want our partnership with the U.S. to be an integral part of this process in exposing the ongoing challenges of the theocratic regime and its proxies, but also in ensuring that Bahrain and other regional allies continue to have the capabilities to effectively protect their peoples against such threats”.