TAMPA, Fla., U.S. Central Command welcomes the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia into the International Maritime Security Construct (IMSC).

I appreciate His Majesty King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud's decision to join the IMSC and in taking an active role in preserving the freedom of navigation, promoting maritime security and de-escalating regional tensions.

We appreciate the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's leading role in regional security matters and welcome their commitment to preserving the free flow of commerce, which is a linchpin of the global economy.

Threats to the freedom of navigation are an international problem requiring an international solution, and we are pleased that the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will be joining Australia, the Kingdom of Bahrain, the United Kingdom, and the United States as part of that solution.