Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed meets Trump in New York following Israeli attacks

PNN International Desk | 

In Doha, in the context of Israel’s deadly attacks, Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Earlier this week in Doha, an Israeli airstrike killed a Qatari security officer and five members of Hamas. During that time, Hamas leaders were discussing a new peace deal proposed by Trump to end the Gaza conflict.

Before a scheduled dinner meeting on Friday night, Sheikh Mohammed met with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House. The discussions focused on the Israeli attacks in Doha and U.S.-Qatar security cooperation.

According to Al Jazeera, Qatar–U.S. relations have become complicated following the attacks. Washington-based reporter Kimberly Halket noted that the meeting with Trump would primarily address two issues: the Israeli strikes in Doha and ongoing negotiations to end the Gaza war.

Following the attacks, Trump publicly expressed that he was “extremely displeased” with Israel’s actions targeting Qatar. Analysts suggest that the strikes aimed to disrupt the ongoing Israel-Hamas ceasefire discussions.

Qatar hosts the important U.S. military base Al Udeid Air Base, making it a close Washington ally. However, the recent events have placed the diplomatic relationship between the two countries under severe strain.

Meanwhile, the Trump administration is attempting to maintain relations with Middle Eastern allies while balancing support for Israel.