{"id":66032,"date":"2021-11-20T14:56:37","date_gmt":"2021-11-20T14:56:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/11\/20\/us-defense-chief-vows-to-counter-iran-in-visit-to-bahrain\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T11:34:46","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T11:34:46","slug":"us-defense-chief-vows-to-counter-iran-in-visit-to-bahrain","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/armytimes\/flashpoints\/2021\/11\/20\/us-defense-chief-vows-to-counter-iran-in-visit-to-bahrain\/","title":{"rendered":"US defense chief vows to counter Iran in visit to Bahrain"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates \u2014 America\u2019s top defense official vowed Saturday to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon<\/a> and to counter its \u201cdangerous use\u201d of suicide drones<\/a> in the wider Mideast, a pledge coming as negotiations remain stalled over Tehran\u2019s tattered atomic deal with world powers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin\u2019s comments in Bahrain at the annual Manama Dialogue appeared aimed at reassuring America\u2019s Arab allies in the Gulf as the Biden administration tries to revive the nuclear deal, which limited Iran\u2019s enrichment of uranium in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

His remarks also come after Gulf sheikhdoms saw the U.S.\u2019 chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan<\/a>, raising concerns about America\u2019s commitment to the region as defense officials say they want to pivot forces to counter perceived challenges from China and Russia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe United States remains committed to preventing Iran from gaining a nuclear weapon. And we remain committed to a diplomatic outcome of the nuclear issue,\u201d Austin told attendees at an event put on by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. \u201cBut if Iran isn\u2019t willing to engage seriously, then we will look at all of the options necessary to keep the United States secure.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\t