Trump Signs Executive Order Guaranteeing US Defense of Qatar Amid Regional Tensions

President Donald Trump has issued an executive order pledging US protection of Qatar’s security, marking one of the strongest commitments ever made to a non-NATO Arab ally.

The order, signed Monday and released Tuesday, declares that the United States will treat any armed attack on Qatar’s territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure as a direct threat to US peace and security. It authorizes the use of diplomatic, economic, and if necessary, military measures to defend both American and Qatari interests.

The move came shortly after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu apologized by phone to Qatar’s leadership for a recent Israeli strike in Doha. At the White House, Trump and Netanyahu jointly presented a 20-point peace plan for Gaza, though it did not explicitly rule out future strikes against Qatar.

For Qatar, the order represents a major diplomatic win. The Gulf state, designated a major non-NATO ally in 2022, already hosts the Al Udeid Air Base, one of the largest US military facilities in the Middle East. With this order, Doha gains a clearer and stronger US security guarantee — something it has long sought amid rising regional instability.

Trump’s promise also follows Qatar’s pledge of nearly $3 trillion in economic commitments during his Gulf tour earlier this year. Since then, the country has faced two separate attacks, from Iran and Israel, underscoring its vulnerability and the importance of this new US security umbrella.

Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the UAE continue to push for similar guarantees, though no formal agreements have yet been reached.