WASHINGTON: US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order pledging to use all necessary measures, including potential military action, to defend Qatar against external threats, including potential Israeli military action.
However, the extent and impact of this commitment remain uncertain, the Associated Press reported.
The order, dated Monday but published on the White House website on Wednesday, appears to be part of Trump’s efforts to reassure Qatar following a surprise Israeli strike on its territory.
The attack targeted Hamas leaders who were reportedly discussing a potential ceasefire with Israel amid the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
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 says.
“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.”
The executive order was reportedly issued during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to Washington on Monday.
According to the White House, during the visit, Trump arranged a phone call between Netanyahu and Qatari officials, during which Netanyahu “expressed his deep regret” over the Israeli strike that killed six people, including a member of Qatar’s security forces.
While treaties typically require US Senate approval to be legally binding, presidents have historically entered international agreements without Senate ratification — such as President Barack Obama’s 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and world powers.
Ultimately, the authority to initiate military action rests with the president, adding a layer of uncertainty to the commitment. Similar concerns have surrounded US defence assurances under Trump’s second term, including interpretations of NATO’s Article 5 mutual defense clause.
