'Cannot even protect themselves': Iran takes swipe at US over 12-nation security summit in Bahrain

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi criticised the United States Central Command (CentCom) on Friday after it hosted a regional security conference in Bahrain with military representatives from 12 countries, including Syria and Lebanon. He said lasting peace in West Asia could only be achieved by countries in the region without external involvement.=

Responding to a post by CentCom on X about the meeting, Araghchi questioned Washington's role in the region.

"Has CentCom brought security or insecurity to our region? The answer is clear," Araghchi wrote on X.

He added that peace in West Asia "can only be sustained when comprehensive and inclusive, with no outside interference."

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Araghchi also praised Iran's armed forces, saying they "have proven that outsiders cannot even protect themselves."

CentCom outlines focus of Bahrain meeting

CentCom said the regional security dialogue was led by its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, and attended by 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 ensuring the uninterrupted flow of commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The 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 protecting commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and discussed ways to strengthen military co-ordination among regional partners.

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

Remarks come amid renewed US-Iran tensions

Araghchi's comments came days after tensions escalated between the US and Iran following an attack on a commercial vessel transiting the Strait of Hormuz near the Gulf of Oman.

The US later carried out strikes on Iranian radar installations, while Iran responded by targeting US bases in Kuwait and Bahrain.