Trump Commits U.S. to Defending Qatar in New Security Pact Washington, D.C. — October 1, 2025

In a landmark move, former President Donald Trump has signed an executive order committing the

United States to defend the State of Qatar against any armed attack, marking one of the most significant U.S.

security assurances ever extended to a non-NATO Arab ally.

Key Provisions of the Executive Order

The order

dated Monday, declares:

“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 U.S. will “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 order states.

Context and Timing:

The announcement came during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House,

where Trump unveiled a new 20-point peace plan for Gaza.

The plan notably omits a previous clause assuring that Israel would not attack Qatar.

Earlier the same day, Netanyahu reportedly apologized by phone to the Qatari prime minister for an Israeli airstrike

on Doha last month — an incident that has further heightened tensions in the Gulf.

Qatar’s Longstanding Security Aspirations

The executive order is a major diplomatic win for Qatar. While already hosting the Al Udeid Air Base — the largest U.S.

military installation in the Middle East — and designated a Major Non-NATO Ally in 2022 under President Biden,

Qatar had been seeking a firmer security guarantee from Washington for years.

Trump’s visit to Doha earlier this year was accompanied by nearly $3 trillion in economic commitments from Qatar and other Gulf states.

Since then, Qatar has reportedly been targeted in two separate attacks — one by Iran and one by Israel.

Regional Impact and Broader Implications

This development could shift regional dynamics significantly:

1. Negotiations between Washington and Riyadh for a broader security agreement had progressed under Biden but ultimately stalled.

2. Saudi Arabia and the UAE, also key U.S. partners, have been pushing for similar guarantees but have yet to receive any formal commitment.

By contrast, Qatar now enjoys an unprecedented level of American backing — a strategic move that could reshape the balance of alliances in the Gulf.