The White House announced that any armed attack on Qatar’s territory will be considered a threat to the United States, and security guarantees will be provided to the Gulf Arab state following an Israeli strike last month. President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order affirming the US policy to ensure Qatar’s security and territorial integrity against external aggression.
If Qatar faces an attack, the United States will utilize diplomatic, economic, and potentially military actions to defend both US and Qatari interests and restore peace and stability. This agreement was reached after an Israeli strike on Qatar on September 9, which targeted Hamas officials discussing a US peace proposal for the Gaza conflict.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had been adamant following the September 9 strikes, called Qatar’s prime minister from the White House to apologize for the attacks and pledged not to repeat them. Netanyahu’s call came during his visit to Washington to meet with President Trump. Israel had asserted its right to target Hamas globally, sparking strong reactions from Arab nations.
Qatar, a significant US ally in the Gulf, houses the largest US military base in the region at al-Udeid, which serves as a key regional headquarters for elements of US Central Command.