WASHINGTON: President Donald Trump has pledged to treat any armed attack on Qatar as a threat to the United States own security, according to a document published on Wednesday that says US forces could step in to defend the Middle Eastern nation.
Qatar welcomed Trump’s order, describing it as a milestone in strengthening defence ties and bilateral cooperation, its foreign ministry said.
The executive order, which appears to significantly deepen US commitment to Qatar, comes after Israel attempted to kill leaders of Hamas last month with an air strike on Doha.
That strike, launched with little advance notice to the Trump administration, caused consternation in Washington given the close relationship with Qatar, which hosts the largest US military base in the region.
The document was dated Monday, the day Trump hosted Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
“The United States shall 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,” the order said.
“In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures, including diplomatic, economic and, if necessary, military, to defend the interests of the United States and of the state of Qatar and to restore peace and stability.”
The document said top US defence officials will maintain contingency planning with Qatar to ensure a rapid response to any attacks.
Saudi Arabia has long sought similar guarantees as part of Washington’s efforts to normalise relations between Riyadh and Israel, but such a deal has not materialised.
Published in Dawn, October 2nd, 2025