President Trump and Bahrain’s Crown Prince affirm reduced Gulf tensions post-Iran strikes, while Secretary Rubio signals U.S. efforts to de-escalate the Druze-Syria-Israel conflict.
In a significant show of diplomatic solidarity, U.S. President Donald Trump welcomed Bahraini Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa to the White House on Wednesday, emphasizing shared strategic goals and a unified stance on the evolving Middle East landscape.
The Crown Prince praised recent joint Israeli and American military operations against Iranian targets, stating unequivocally that the Gulf region “has become more stable” as a result. Reflecting on the tension-filled weekend during the Iranian missile response, he remarked, “We didn’t know how far it would escalate on that Sunday — we were relieved when calm returned on Monday.”
Turning to the stalled nuclear dialogue with Iran, Crown Prince Salman placed the burden squarely on Tehran: “If they want negotiations, the door is open. They stand to benefit, but they must take the first step.”
President Trump echoed this firm position. “They want to talk—badly,” he said bluntly. “But we’re in no rush. We could have made a deal, they didn’t take it. So we hit them hard. We’re still here, and the choice is theirs.”
Amid rising humanitarian concern in Syria, Secretary of State Marco Rubio addressed the violent clashes involving Israeli forces, Syrian troops, and the embattled Druze community. He attributed the escalation to longstanding tribal and regional rivalries, particularly between the Bedouins and Druze in southern Syria.
“These are old wounds that have reopened, but we’re fully engaged with both sides,” Rubio stated. “We’ve been in contact all night and morning to calm the situation and restore focus on rebuilding a stable Syria. This region deserves peace—and we’re committed to achieving it.”
