The order cites the two countries’ “close cooperation” and “shared interest,” vowing to “guarantee the security and territorial integrity of the state of Qatar against external attack.”

“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 states. “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.”

### Order Follows Netanyahu Apology Call

The order apparently came during a visit to Washington on Monday by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. President Trump organized a call by Netanyahu to Qatar during the visit, in which Netanyahu “expressed his deep regret” over the strike that killed six people, including a member of the Qatari security forces, the White House said.

Qatar’s Foreign Ministry described the US pledge as “an important step in strengthening the two countries’ close defence partnership.” The Qatari-funded Al Jazeera satellite news network declared: “New Trump executive order guarantees Qatar security after Israeli attack.”

Later on Wednesday, Trump also spoke on the phone with Qatar’s ruling emir, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, according to a White House official who was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke on condition of anonymity. The White House did not release details about the call, though Qatar later said the two leaders discussed Doha’s efforts to reach a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

### Uncertainty Over the True Scope of the Pledge

The true scope of the US pledge remains in question. Typically, legally binding agreements or treaties require approval from the US Senate. However, presidents have entered international agreements without Senate approval before, such as President Barack Obama’s 2015 Iran nuclear deal with world powers.

Ultimately, any decision to take military action rests with the president. This uncertainty has clouded previous US defense agreements during Trump’s second term, including NATO’s Article 5 guarantees.

### Qatar Order Comes as Gulf Arabs Reassess Their Security

Qatar, a peninsular nation that extends into the Persian Gulf, has become extremely wealthy through its vast natural gas reserves. It has been a key partner of the US military, allowing its Central Command to use Al Udeid Air Base as its forward operating base.

US President Joe Biden named Qatar a major non-NATO ally in 2022, partly due to its assistance during America’s chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Qatar has also maintained close ties to Trump, through a real estate project with the Trump Organization and offering the president a Boeing 747 to use as Air Force One.

Following the Israeli attack, Saudi Arabia entered a mutual defense agreement with Pakistan, placing the kingdom under Islamabad’s nuclear umbrella. It remains unclear whether other Gulf Arab countries, concerned about both Israel and Iran amid reimposed United Nations sanctions over its nuclear program, may seek similar security arrangements with their longtime security guarantor—the United States.

“The Gulf’s centrality in the Middle East and its significance to the United States warrants specific US guarantees beyond President Donald J. Trump’s assurances of non-repetition and dinner meetings,” wrote Bader al-Saif, a history professor at Kuwait University who analyzes Gulf Arab affairs.

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