Trump pledges U.S. military support to protect Qatar

Trump signs executive order on AI and pediatric cancer research at White House, Sept 30, 2025
Reuters

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order pledging U.S. military support to defend Qatar if it comes under attack, following last month’s Israeli airstrikes on Doha that intensified regional tensions.

The order, issued after the September 9 strikes, commits Washington to guaranteeing Qatar’s security and taking military action if the Gulf nation is targeted.

The Israeli attack hit Hamas officials meeting in Doha to discuss a U.S.-brokered Gaza ceasefire under Qatari mediation. Several members of the group were killed, along with a Qatari security officer. On Monday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologised to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani during a joint call with Trump at the White House.

Trump called Qatar “a steadfast ally” and said the two countries were united by “shared interests and close military cooperation.” The order states that any armed aggression against Qatar will be considered a threat to U.S. peace and security.

The strike strained ties with Doha, which condemned Israel’s actions as “cowardly and treacherous.” U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited Qatar on September 16 for talks, following an emergency summit where Arab and Islamic leaders voiced solidarity with Doha.

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