'Has CENTCOM Brought Security?': Iran Slams US-Led Regional Security Meeting In Bahrain

Last Updated:July 03, 2026, 02:39 IST

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said lasting peace in the Middle East could only be achieved without external involvement.

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) on Thursday, a day after it hosted a regional security dialogue in Bahrain with military representatives from 12 Middle Eastern countries.

Responding to a post by CENTCOM on X about the meeting, Araghchi questioned the US military’s role in the region.

“Has CENTCOM brought security or insecurity to our region? The answer is clear," Araghchi said on X.

Also Read: Hormuz, Frozen Funds, Nuclear Talks: 5 Big Things Araghchi Said About US-Iran Deal

CENTCOM had described the Bahrain meeting as a regional security dialogue led by its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, with senior military officials from Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

According to CENTCOM, the discussions focused on regional security challenges, defence co-operation and safeguarding commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Araghchi said lasting peace in the Middle East could only be achieved without external involvement.

“Peace in our region can only be sustained when comprehensive and inclusive, with no outside interference," he added.

He also praised Iran’s armed forces, saying they “have proven that outsiders cannot even protect themselves".

Also Read: Nuclear Issue To Be Taken Up In Final Stage Of US-Iran Talks: Araghchi

The Bahrain meeting, hosted by the Bahrain Defence Force, also marked the first time military representatives from Syria and Lebanon attended a US-led regional defence conference.

CENTCOM said participants reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and discussed ways to strengthen military coordination among regional partners.

It also said the US and its regional allies currently operate the world’s largest integrated air and missile defence network.

Araghchi’s remarks came days after tensions escalated between the United States and Iran following an attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz near the Gulf of Oman.

The US subsequently struck Iranian radar installations, while Iran responded by targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.

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Prisha Vibhavari

Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st...Read More

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