Israeli President Herzog Talks With Bahrain King Amid Bahrain-Kuwait Strikes on Iran

Israeli President Isaac Herzog recently spoke with Bahrain's King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in a conversation initiated and publicized by the Bahraini monarch. Herzog emphasized the strengthening friendship and growing ties between Israel and Bahrain, highlighting the importance of the Abraham Accords, led by the United States, in promoting security, stability, and prosperity across the Middle East. They also discussed recent regional developments and the significance of cooperation and dialogue among neighboring countries. Herzog praised Bahrain as a key partner in shaping the Middle East's future and commended King Hamad's leadership and vision in deepening peace and collaboration between their nations.

This dialogue comes shortly after reports from The Wall Street Journal revealed that Bahrain and Kuwait conducted military strikes against Iranian targets earlier in the month, marking the first direct military response by these Gulf states to Iran amid ongoing regional conflicts. The strikes targeted missile depots, drone storage facilities, and other military sites. Sources indicated that the United Arab Emirates provided intelligence and defensive air cover during the operations, reflecting increased Gulf cooperation against perceived Iranian threats. Iran has recently focused retaliatory attacks on Bahrain and Kuwait, both hosting U.S. military bases. Despite their relatively small air forces, Bahrain and Kuwait decided to respond militarily to prevent further Iranian aggression. Neither Bahrain nor Kuwait has officially commented on the reported strikes.