Iran’s deputy foreign minister for legal and international affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, slammed a US Central Command (CENTCOM)-led security summit in Bahrain, the participants of which discussed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz.

“Hormuz is defined under Iran’s command, not CENTCOM,” Gharibabadi wrote on X.

The military summit in Bahrain “cannot establish legal order and security for the Persian Gulf,” he added.

Regional security will be ensured through the end of interventions and the US withdrawal from the region, respecting the sovereignty of countries, and accepting new geopolitical realities, not under the military umbrella of the US, the Iranian deputy foreign minister went on to say.

Earlier, CENTCOM reported that its commander, Admiral Brad Cooper, held a meeting in Bahrain on Wednesday with representatives of the defense ministries of 12 Middle Eastern countries to discuss regional security issues.

Within the framework of the dialogue, the parties discussed the current security situation and opportunities for expanding cooperation in the defense sector, the respective statement said.

At the same time, it is noted that the participants in the meeting emphasized their commitment to ensuring the smooth passage of commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.