Edit: Ahmed Al-Kumi

During his tour of the region, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stressed Washington's commitment to the security of the Middle East, and stressed that Washington was looking at the right combination of force to deter Iran and its allies.

During a session in the Bahraini capital of Manama, Austin confirmed that America would remain committed to its relations with allies around the world, including in the Middle East, even after the withdrawal of the American army from Afghanistan.

On the United States military presence in Iraq, Austin said that the purpose of the United States military presence there was to train Iraqi forces and that American forces were present in that country at the invitation of the Iraqi Government, which enjoyed a very good relationship with the United States.

The United States Secretary of Defense also identified Iran as the main destabilizing region and other regions around the world, stressing America's full support for Saudi Arabia to counter the Houthi threats, and stressing that the United States has significant military forces in the region.