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| US president signs Qatar security guarantee |
President Donald Trump has signed an executive order committing the United States to defend Qatar if it is attacked again, a direct response to an unprecedented Israeli airstrike on the Gulf nation's capital last month .
The order states that the U.S. will regard "any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States" . It mandates that the U.S. take "all lawful and appropriate measures — including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military — to defend the interests" of both countries .
The policy follows a September 9 Israeli strike on Doha that targeted Hamas political leaders who were in the city discussing a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza . The attack, which killed a Qatari security officer and several Hamas members, was widely condemned and prompted an emergency summit of Arab and Islamic leaders in solidarity with Qatar .
The U.S. moved quickly to mend relations with Qatar, a key ally that hosts the largest American military base in the Middle East . Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Doha on September 16, just a week after the attack, to reaffirm the "enduring US-Qatar security partnership" .
A Qatari foreign ministry spokesperson said the Israeli attack "expedites the need for a renewed strategic defence agreement," noting that the two countries were already on the verge of finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation pact . President Trump, who said he was not informed of Israel's strike in advance, expressed his unhappiness with the action, calling it unilateral and not in the interest of the U.S. or Israel .
The situation de-escalated on September 29, when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized to Qatar for the killing of its citizen during a joint call with Trump and the Qatari Prime Minister . The executive order was signed the same day .
The security guarantee formalizes a relationship that has been strengthening for years. In the executive order, Trump described Qatar as a "steadfast ally in pursuit of peace, stability, and prosperity" and recognized its role as a mediator in regional and global conflicts .
The U.S.-Qatar relationship is also a massive economic engine. During a visit to Doha in May, President Trump announced agreements expected to generate an economic exchange worth at least $1.2 trillion . The centerpiece was a $96 billion deal for Qatar Airways to purchase up to 210 American-made Boeing aircraft powered by GE Aerospace engines, an order that will support over a million U.S. jobs .
The two nations also have a robust defense trade. Qatar is the 12th largest Foreign Military Sales partner for the U.S., with active cases valued at more than $26 billion . Recent major deals include a $1 billion agreement with Raytheon for counter-drone systems and a nearly $2 billion agreement with General Atomics for MQ-9B remotely piloted aircraft . A subsequent statement of intent outlined over $38 billion in potential future investments for air defense and maritime security .
Qatar's value to the U.S. extends beyond its economic investments and strategic location. The country has been a central mediator, alongside Egypt and the U.S., in ceasefire and hostage release talks between Israel and Hamas since the Gaza war began .
Despite the attack on its soil, a Qatari official stated the country was "determined to defend our sovereignty" but would not be deterred from its mediation role . Secretary Rubio, during his visit, urged Qatar to continue this work, saying there was a "very short window of time in which a deal could happen" and that "If any country in the world can help mediate it, Qatar is the one" .
The U.S. has its own detailed proposal for Gaza. The White House has released a 20-point plan that calls for an immediate end to the war if both sides agree, the return of all hostages, and the release of prisoners . The plan envisions a demilitarized Gaza governed by a temporary technocratic committee, overseen by an international "Board of Peace" chaired by Trump, and secured by an international stabilization force .
The reinforced alliance with Qatar fits into a wider U.S. diplomatic framework in the Middle East, notably the Trump administration's Abraham Accords. These agreements, signed in 2020, established diplomatic normalization between Israel and several Arab nations, including the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain . As recently as July 2025, the administration was reported to be seeking to expand the Accords to include Syria, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia .
The new security guarantee for Qatar also involves ongoing joint contingency planning. The executive order tasks the Secretary of War, along with the Secretary of State and the Director of National Intelligence, to maintain plans with Qatar to ensure a "rapid and coordinated response" to any future aggression .