Iran Criticizes US-Led Security Summit in Bahrain, Claims Command Over Strait of Hormuz

Iran has sharply criticized a US-led security summit in Bahrain, asserting that the Strait of Hormuz falls under Tehran's command, not American authority. Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi dismissed the summit's legitimacy, stating that regional security must be managed by neighboring states without foreign military intervention. The meeting, attended by military leaders from twelve nations, aimed to ensure the free flow of commerce through the vital waterway.

Tehran: Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs Kazem Gharibabadi on Thursday strongly criticised the US-led regional security summit in Bahrain, rejecting Western attempts to allegedly dictate security frameworks in the Persian Gulf and the strategic Strait of Hormuz.

In a post on X, Gharibabadi dismissed both the legitimacy of the military summit and the authority of the American command structure in the region, asserting that "Hormuz is defined under Iran's command, not CENTCOM." He maintained that a military summit in Bahrain cannot establish "legal order and security for the Persian Gulf".

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The Iranian diplomat emphasised that long-term stability in the Middle East cannot be achieved through foreign military coalitions, affirming that regional security must be managed internally by neighbouring states, "not under the military umbrella of America."

"Hormuz is defined under Iran's command, not CENTCOM. A military summit in Bahrain cannot establish legal order and security for the Persian Gulf. The region's security will be ensured through the end of interventions and the U.S. withdrawal from the area, respect for countries' sovereignty, and acceptance of new geopolitical realities--not under the military umbrella of America," he wrote.

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His remarks follow the US Central Command (CENTCOM) announcement that top military leaders from a dozen nations, including the United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Lebanon, and Syria, had convened in Bahrain to reinforce their "commitment to the free flow of commerce" through the strategic waterway.

CENTCOM on Wednesday (local time) spearheaded a security dialogue hosted by the Bahrain Defense Force, bringing together top military officials from 12 nations to address the current security landscape in the Middle East.

In a post on X, CENTCOM stated that the high-level conference featured discussions led by Adm. Brad Cooper, commander of CENTCOM, alongside senior military representatives from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.

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A central focus of the meeting was the shared commitment among the nations to safeguard the free flow of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global maritime chokepoint.

"Adm. Brad Cooper, CENTCOM commander, and senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen discussed the current regional security environment and opportunities for enhancing defense collaboration across the region. Leaders underscored their shared commitment to the free flow of commerce through the Strait of Hormuz," it wrote on X.

"We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our regional partners," Adm. Cooper said following the talks. "The discussions underscored our shared commitment to regional security and stability," he added.

The conference marked a significant diplomatic and military milestone, with CENTOM stating that "the security dialogue marked the first time military leaders from Syria and Lebanon participated in a regional defense conference led by the United States."

The gathering highlighted expanding efforts to protect regional airspace against evolving threats. Furthermore, the CENTCOM reflected on previous efforts made to ensure coordination and information flow regarding the Middle East tensions.

"The United States and regional partners operate the world's most sophisticated and largest active air and missile defense umbrella across the Middle East. In January, CENTCOM and regional countries established a new Middle Eastern Air Defense coordination cell for sharing information and threat warnings as well as responding to contingencies," it wrote.