President Donald Trump has offered Qatar an unprecedented security guarantee, pledging US military protection in response to attacks on the Gulf state. The announcement comes after an Israeli strike in Doha threatened to undermine US-Qatar relations and ongoing Gaza peace efforts.

A White House statement on Wednesday confirmed that Trump signed an executive order declaring that any attack on Qatar would be treated as a threat to the United States, prompting potential military action. The order, signed on Monday during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the White House, mirrors the principle behind NATO’s collective defense, though it is not a treaty requiring Senate approval.

The Israeli attack on September 9 targeted a building in Doha hosting Hamas leaders, killing a Qatari security staffer. Israel claimed it aimed at Hamas leadership, but the strike raised concerns about US credibility, as Qatar was hosting peace talks under Washington’s guidance. Israel reportedly informed the US only minutes before the attack, leaving limited time for intervention.

Qatar, home to a major US military base and regional diplomacy hub, frequently hosts rival nations and groups, including Taliban representatives. It was also targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Trump’s guarantee extends protection against attacks from Israel, Iran, and other regional actors, reinforcing Qatar’s strategic importance. His special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, continues negotiations with Hamas leaders in Doha to resolve the Gaza conflict.

The US-Qatar partnership remains strong, highlighted by the emirate’s pledge to invest over $500 billion in the US over the next decade and its gift of a Boeing 747 to Trump during his visit in May.