US, Bahrain reach civil nuclear deal
US President Donald Trump meets with Bahrain's Crown Prince and Prime Minister Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa at the White House in Washington, DC, US, July 16, 2025. Photo: Reuters
The United States and Bahrain signed a civilian nuclear energy accord Wednesday as US President Donald Trump met with the Gulf nation's crown prince.
At a memorandum of understanding signing ceremony with his Bahraini counterpart Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani, Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the accord showed the United States is willing to work with any country that wants a civil nuclear energy program "not geared toward weaponization or threatening the security of their neighbors."
He was alluding to Iran, which the United States and Israel accuse of trying to develop nuclear weapons.
The United States bombed Iranian nuclear facilities on June 22 as it joined Israel's 12-day war against its arch foe.
Bahrain is a close ally of the United States and serves as the base for the US Navy's 5th Fleet.