Cairo : Bahrain and the US have vowed to counter Iranian "aggression" and urged the UN to extend an arms embargo on it due to expire in October.
The call was made in a joint statement following talks by US specialist representative Brian Hook in Manama.
Bahrain and the US accused Iran of seeking to undermine the kingdom's stability and security "by fomenting sectarian tensions and providing arms to proxy groups and terrorists".
Despite those acts, Bahrain said it has remained true to its values and continues to prioritise peaceful coexistence and religious freedom for all its people.
"The US remains committed to Bahrain’s security and to a deep and effective partnership to counter Iranian-backed terror," the statement said, according to the Bahrain news agency BNA.
"In recognising the grave threat posed by Iranian arms transfers in the region, and in Bahrain specifically, the US and Bahrain call upon the United Nations Security Council to extend the arms embargo on Iran before it expires," it ended.
The embargo is an important tool to counter Iran’s proliferation of arms to proxies, both sides said. "It promotes greater regional stability and holds Iran accountable for its actions," it said, citing Iran's involvement in an attack last September on Saudi oil facility. "If the international community fails to extend the embargo, the Kingdom of Bahrain and neighbouring partners will suffer the consequences of a destabilising arms race."
In Bahrain, Hook held talks with Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander and First Deputy Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Foreign Minister Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.
The US official visit followed a trip to Riyadh where he had held talks with Saudi officials focusing on Iran.
