Qatar’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani held meetings in Washington, DC, with US Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Scott Bessent. Qatar’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on Friday that the talks reviewed ways to strengthen the “close strategic cooperation” between Doha and Washington, “especially the defence partnership in light of the conditions the region is experiencing.”
Both sides emphasized “ensuring the sustainability of energy supplies and maintaining the continued flow of liquefied natural gas from the State of Qatar to global markets” in a manner that “supports global energy security.” Vance reportedly hailed the “robust strategic partnership,” praising Qatar’s “active role in promoting regional stability and enhancing global energy security.”
The Gulf region has been in a state of heightened tension since February 28, when the US-Israeli war on Iran began, which has allegedly killed over 3,000 people across the region, with a vast majority in Iran and Lebanon. Iran has since launched drone and missile attacks targeting Israel, as well as Jordan, Iraq, and Gulf states. While Iran insists it is targeting US assets in the Gulf, regional leaders have urged Iran to cease attacks, citing dangers to civilians.
Qatar earlier this month stated that Iranian missile attacks on the Ras Laffan Industrial City, the country’s main gas facility, caused “significant damage.” The war has created an unprecedented global energy crisis as Iran has effectively closed off the Strait of Hormuz, through which one-fifth of the world’s oil passes.
Qatar’s Foreign Ministry added that Sheikh Mohammed also held a meeting in Washington on Thursday with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. The meeting “focused on ways to support and develop defence and security collaboration amid regional challenges.” Both sides stressed “the importance of continued coordination and consultation on regional issues to promote security and stability locally and internationally.” On Wednesday, the Qatari Cabinet renewed its condemnation of Iranian attacks on Qatar and its neighbours, calling for an immediate halt.
Source: www.aljazeera.com