President Donald Trump has issued a sweeping executive order pledging U.S. military protection for Qatar in the event of future external aggression. The move follows Israel’s unprecedented airstrikes on Doha on September 9, 2025, which killed several Hamas negotiators and a Qatari security officer.
Israel claimed the strikes targeted Hamas leaders meeting in the Qatari capital to discuss a U.S.-backed ceasefire proposal for Gaza. While the intended leaders were not killed, the attack triggered global outrage and a sharp diplomatic rift between Doha and Tel Aviv.
On September 29, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu issued a rare apology to Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani. The apology came during a joint call with Trump at the White House.
In the executive order, Trump described Qatar as a “steadfast ally” that has supported U.S. diplomatic and security efforts across the Middle East. He emphasized that Washington and Doha share “close cooperation, shared interests, and deep military ties,” and declared it official U.S. policy to guarantee Qatar’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against foreign attack.
The announcement is seen as an attempt by Washington to balance its support for Israel with reassurance to Qatar, which hosts the Al Udeid Air Base — the largest U.S. military facility in the Middle East. The base has been central to U.S. operations in the region for decades.
Following the airstrikes, Secretary of State Marco Rubio traveled to Doha on September 16 to reaffirm the partnership. “We remain committed to a safer, more stable region,” Rubio posted on X after meeting Qatari officials.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry spokesman Majed al-Ansari said his country remains “determined to defend our sovereignty and prevent a repeat of such attacks.”
Trump’s executive order signals a dramatic tightening of U.S.-Qatar defense ties, underscoring Washington’s effort to contain regional tensions while maintaining alliances on both sides of the conflict.
