US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday that Washington and Doha are close to finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation agreement, following an Israeli strike last week that targeted residential compounds used by several Hamas leaders in the Qatari capital.
Rubio arrived in Doha for talks with Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, during which the two leaders discussed “the repercussions of the treacherous Israeli attack on Doha, the future of joint diplomatic efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and steps to reduce regional escalation,” according to a statement from the Amiri Diwan.
Speaking before leaving Tel Aviv for the Qatari capital, Rubio emphasized the close partnership with Doha, saying that the two sides are very close to finalizing an enhanced defense cooperation agreement.
Responding to Rubio’s remarks, Majed Al-Ansari, spokesperson for Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said discussions on the defense pact have been ongoing for some time. “This is part of a long-standing process of preparation between the two countries,” he noted.
Al-Ansari emphasized that defense ties between Qatar and the United States have always been strong and have deepened significantly in recent years.
“This represents another chapter in bilateral cooperation,” he said, while clarifying that he had no technical details about the potential agreement.
He praised the broader strategic partnership with Washington, particularly in defense, highlighting continuous growth across multiple sectors.
“For Qatar, efforts remain underway to reach this defense agreement, which was part of the discussions during Secretary Rubio’s visit to Doha,” he added.
The spokesperson stressed that Qatar relies on official sources, not media speculation, in its dealings with Washington.
He said: “There are clear statements from the US administration, and there is ongoing direct engagement with our American counterparts.”
Al-Ansari pointed out that President Donald Trump’s remarks on Monday regarding US support for Qatar were not new. “This was not the first time he reaffirmed this position; he had also stressed it during his call with Sheikh Tamim after the recent aggression against Qatar,” he noted. “It is a clear message that the American stance is unequivocal in supporting a strategic ally under attack.”
In a separate statement, the US State Department confirmed that Rubio reiterated Washington’s strong ties with Doha, thanking Qatar for its mediation efforts to halt the war in Gaza and secure the release of hostages. It added that the US official underscored America’s “strong support for Qatar’s security and our shared commitment to a safer region.”
