BICOM

Bahrain announced yesterday that it will convene a conference to discuss maritime security and address recent freedom of navigation incidents in the Gulf.

Bahrain’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Sheikh Khalid bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, announced the event alongside the US special representative for Iran, Brian Hook, on Wednesday, saying the conference would probably take place this autumn and would be a follow up to the recent Warsaw conference in February.

Hook said he expected 65 countries to attend, adding: “Most of the oil that flows through the Strait finds its way to Asia. It’s very important for like-minded nations in the region to play their part.” Sheikh Khalid said the conference will aim to reach a common understanding to address the challenge posed by Iran.

Last week, General Mark Milley told a Senate hearing that the US was trying to put together a coalition “over the next couple of weeks,” which could provide naval escorts to commercial shipping. On Friday, Hook will meet ambassadors to promote the US plan to build a maritime coalition to deter further attacks. Hook said the B-52 bombers deployed in the region were already proving successful in disrupting and deterring “much of what we feared” with Iranian plots in the area.

The UK is also taking steps to protect shipping in the Gulf and the Ministry of Defence announced that the type 23 frigate HMS Kent and the RFA Wave Knight would shortly be deployed to boost UK naval forces already in the area. The Secretary of State for Defence Penny Mordaunt said this morning: “It’s vital that we send a very clear message to Iran that we want them to step back … we will continue to protect shipping and the free flow of trade.”