Qatar PM Meets US Officials on Defense, Energy Amid Iran Conflict

Qatar's prime minister held high-level talks with U.S. officials in Washington this week, focusing on bolstering defense ties and ensuring energy security amid the escalating U.S.-Israeli conflict with Iran that began on February 28. The meetings, which involved discussions on regional stability and the flow of liquefied natural gas, come as Iranian strikes have damaged key Qatari infrastructure and disrupted global oil supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Qatar's prime minister and foreign minister, met on Thursday with U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to explore ways to enhance defense and security collaboration in response to regional challenges. The talks emphasized continued coordination on issues affecting local and international stability, according to Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Earlier, on Friday, Sheikh Mohammed engaged with U.S. Vice President JD Vance and U.S. Secretary Scott Bessent to review strategic cooperation between Doha and Washington, particularly in defense partnerships amid the ongoing tensions.

The discussions highlighted the importance of sustaining energy supplies, with both sides...