In October 1991, Emir Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa made a state visit to Washington.

[5][6] Bahrain and the United States signed a Defense Cooperation Agreement in October 1991 granting U.S. forces access to Bahraini facilities and ensuring the right to pre-position material for future crises.

[15] In July 2014, while visiting Bahrain, Assistant Secretary of State for Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor Tom Malinowski was expelled by the country's government after he met with members of Al Wefaq, a leading Bahraini opposition party.

[16][17][18] Malinowski was expected to visit Bahrain for three days, and had meetings scheduled with al-Wefaq, government officials, and a leading human rights activist, Nabeel Rajab.

[16] The foreign ministry of Bahrain argued that Malinowski's activities "ran counter to conventional diplomatic norms," but also noted that the expulsion would not affect Bahrain–United States relations.

"[20][21] Secretary of State John Kerry called Bahrain's request to have a government official present at Malinowski's meetings "highly unusual" and an "unacceptable requirement that runs contrary to international diplomatic protocol.

[22][23][24] On September 13, 2023, the United States and Bahrain signed a strategic security and economic agreement to expand defense and intelligence collaboration between the two countries.