Former US President Donald Trump has praised Qatar for its growing role in helping solve tensions in the Middle East. He especially pointed to the Qatari emir as someone working hard to reduce conflict between the United States and Iran. Trump said Qatar is in the best position to help find peaceful solutions and is a key partner in preventing war in the region.
During his recent comments, Trump explained that his main focus is improving US defense systems and modernizing the military. He said these steps will help the country save money while staying strong. At the same time, he highlighted how personal ties with Middle Eastern leaders, especially royal families, can benefit the US economy. According to Trump, these connections can bring in trillions of dollars through trade, investment, and defense partnerships.
He expressed gratitude toward the Qatari leadership, praising the emir for his active efforts in supporting peace in the region. Trump stressed that while he is open to a peaceful agreement with Iran, he remains firm in saying that Iran must never be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. He made it clear that this is a line that cannot be crossed under any future deal.
Trump believes Qatar can play a special role in keeping the door open to talks. He said the Qatari emir has been working for peaceful resolutions rather than confrontation. According to him, Qatar has proven itself to be a neutral and effective partner in many complex conflicts. He sees this as proof that Qatar can help reduce tension between the US and Iran.
Qatar has often played a central role in Middle Eastern diplomacy. The country has worked as a mediator in many conflicts over the past decade. For example, it helped launch peace talks between the US and the Taliban in 2020. It also helped negotiate a temporary ceasefire in Gaza in 2024, which led to a short period of peace between Israel and Hamas. In both cases, Qatar used its neutral position and open communication channels to bring both sides to the table.
The country also hosted indirect talks between the US and Iran in 2022. These talks focused on restarting the nuclear deal that the US left in 2018. That deal, known as the JCPOA, was meant to limit Iran’s nuclear activities in exchange for lifting sanctions. After the US withdrew from the deal under Trump’s leadership, Iran began to restart parts of its nuclear program. This raised fears of a new conflict in the region.
Since then, the Biden administration has tried to restart talks with Iran, but progress has been slow. Many observers now believe that neutral countries like Qatar could help move the process forward. Qatar’s ability to maintain strong relations with both the US and Iran gives it a unique role. Unlike some other Gulf states, Qatar has avoided taking strong sides in regional disputes. This allows it to act as a bridge between countries that do not trust each other.
Trump’s praise of Qatar is not new. While he was in office, he hosted the Qatari emir in Washington and praised Qatar’s investments in the US. These investments include real estate, infrastructure, and high-tech projects. Qatar is also home to the Al Udeid Air Base, the largest US military base in the Middle East. This base supports US operations across the region, from Syria to Afghanistan.
Many experts agree that Qatar is now seen as a trusted mediator on the world stage. A report by the International Crisis Group in 2024 said that Qatar’s policy of engaging all sides has made it one of the most effective diplomatic players in the Middle East. This approach has helped Qatar gain the trust of many countries, including the US, Iran, and others.
Trump’s comments come at a time when tensions between the US and Iran remain high. There have been recent reports of military buildups and new sanctions, which have slowed down progress on diplomacy. Still, Trump said that talks must stay open and that peaceful solutions are always better than conflict. In his view, Qatar is one of the few countries that can help keep those talks alive.