Trump emphasized that Iran “needs to stop supporting terrorism, end its violent proxy wars, and irrevocably abandon any pursuit of nuclear armaments,” during a discussion with officials from the Gulf Cooperation Council, convened by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in Riyadh.

“They cannot have a nuclear weapon.”

US prosecutors in 2020 accused Qatar of bribing FIFA executive committee members to secure the tournament in the country in 2022.

In 2024, RTX Corp., formerly recognized as Raytheon, settled allegations of defrauding the US government and offering bribes to obtain contracts in Qatar, agreeing to pay over $950 million. Qatar has consistently refuted any claims of misconduct.

Qatar has played a pivotal role as a mediator, notably with Hamas, as international efforts continue towards a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas conflict in the Gaza Strip. Moreover, Qatar hosted talks between the United States and the Taliban, leading to the US withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Qatar is home to Al-Udeid Air Base, a sprawling facility that hosts the forward headquarters of the US military’s Central Command.

The oil-and-gas rich country is also in the centre of a controversy over its offer to provide Trump with the gift of a luxury Boeing 747-8 that the US could use as Air Force One while new versions of the plane are under construction by Boeing.

The Qatari government has said a final decision hasn’t been made. But Trump has defended the idea even as critics argue it would amount to a president accepting an astonishingly valuable gift from a foreign government.

Trump has indicated he would refurbish the aircraft and it would later be donated to his post-White House presidential library. He says he would not use the plane once he leaves office.