No Room for Economic Blackmail

Minister of Finance and National Economy, Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, held a telephone call with US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to discuss Washington's newly announced Operation Economic Outcast.

The two officials reviewed the close cooperation between Bahrain and the United States in confronting threats to regional security and international trade, including joint efforts to counter illicit finance and disrupt funding for destabilizing activity. Bessent expressed appreciation for Bahrain's expected role in these efforts.

Shaikh Salman reaffirmed Bahrain's position that peace, stability, and the security of maritime trade routes are of paramount importance, stressing that the Strait of Hormuz must not be used as a tool of economic pressure. He warned that attacks on commercial shipping raise costs for producers and consumers and threaten global market stability.

The Minister emphasized the need to deny resources to actors attacking the region's people and infrastructure, citing sanctions-evasion networks and militia financing. He also reaffirmed support for international efforts against Iran's nuclear and missile programs.

Shaikh Salman reiterated Bahrain's commitment to working with the GCC, the US, and international partners on anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing standards.