U.S. continues efforts to normalize diplomatic ties between Arab States and Israel

WASHINGTON, D.C. / TEL AVIV — As part of U.S. efforts to blockade Iran, undermine its movements, and reduce the number of its allies in the region, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo visited the Bahraini capital on Tuesday for talks with Bahraini officials on the possibility of normalizing relations between the country and Israel. The U.S. diplomatic push in Bahrain comes on the back of normalization between Israel and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), a neighbor of Bahrain.

The visit is part of a Secretary Pompeo’s tour of the region which includes trips to Israel, Sudan, and the UAE. During the tour, Pompeo expressed optimism that several Arab countries would normalize relations with Israel.

Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced Israel’s intention to send a delegation to Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE, on Monday for talks on strengthening the normalization agreement between the two countries and to discuss strengthening economic ties.

Netanyahu said in a statement that the delegation will include senior White House adviser Jared Kushner, U.S. National Security Advisor Robert O’Brien, U.S. Middle East Envoy Avrahm Berkowitz, as well as U.S. Special Envoy for Iran Brian Hook.

According to Israeli sources, the delegation’s visit will be the first ever between the two countries.