In the United Arab Emirates, Cooper will hold consultations with senior civilian and military officials in Abu Dhabi on deepening bilateral security partnership and proposed sales of advanced defensive capabilities to deter Iran and its regional proxies, the US Department of State said in a press release.

The assistant secretary of state will discuss the changing regional security landscape and increased opportunities for cooperation in the wake of the United Arab Emirate’s decision to normalize diplomatic relations with Israel.

"The United Arab Emirates is a vital US security partner who stood shoulder-to-shoulder with us in Afghanistan and Iraq; is an active and capable partner in the worldwide fight against Al-Qaida and its regional affiliates; and hosts nearly 4,000 US forces," the press release said.

In Saudi Arabia, Cooper will meet with senior government officials in Riyadh to discuss security cooperation and defense trade.

Saudi Arabia is a strong US partner in security and counterterrorism, as well as a leading purchaser of US defense equipment, including more than $126.6 billion in active government-to-government sales cases under the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) system and an additional $8.2 billion in defense articles to Saudi Arabia via the Direct Commercial Sales (DCS) process, both managed by the Bureau of Political-Military Affairs, it added.

In Bahrain, Cooper will discuss expanding partnerships in maritime security and defense trade.

Bahrain hosts the US Navy’s Fifth Fleet and its security cooperation with the United States strengthens interoperability for regional security and counterterrorism cooperation, boosts its maritime defenses, and improves its counter-terrorism capabilities in a manner that respects the human rights of its citizens, the Department of State said.

"America’s commitment to Israel’s security is ironclad," it noted.

"Under our 10-year Memorandum of Understanding, Israel is the world’s single-largest recipient of US security assistance, and our governments cooperate closely in joint military exercises, military research and weapons development", said State Department spokeswoman.