“Iran’s actions in recent months have not been encouraging,” Lloyd Austin said
While in Bahrain on Saturday, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin sought to reassure his allies in the Middle East about the Biden administration’s commitment to the region.
The statements come as the Arab Gulf states, heavily dependent on US military aid, have expressed doubts about Washington’s engagement in the region, especially after the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.
In a speech during a tour of the Gulf, Lloyd Austin referred to the fact that American allies in the Middle East and the world at large have expressed concern about the new geopolitical priorities of the United States, which appear to be focus almost exclusively on China.
“Let’s be clear: America’s commitment to Middle East security is unequivocal,” the US Secretary of Defense said.
In particular, he stressed that the United States was determined to counter Iran, even as Washington struggles to revive the 2015 nuclear deal.
“We remain committed to a diplomatic outcome on the nuclear issue,” he said. “But if Iran is unwilling to make serious commitments regarding its nuclear program, then we will examine all options necessary to ensure the security of the United States.”
The Pentagon chief insisted on the fact that Washington would show “good faith” during the indirect negotiations with Tehran on the revival of the nuclear agreement which are to begin on November 29 in Vienna.
Lloyd Austin nevertheless pointed out that “Iran’s actions in recent months had not been encouraging, especially because of the expansion of its nuclear program.”
The Gulf states are particularly worried about the nuclear advances of the Islamic Republic.
They also demand that the Vienna negotiations focus on Iran’s ballistic missile program, as well as its destabilizing behavior in the region through its proxies.
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