US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promising to use all possible measures, including military action, to protect the oil-rich country of Qatar, the Associated Press reported. It is not yet clear how much this promise has legal weight. The decision comes against the backdrop of surprise Israeli strikes against Qatar, targeting leaders of "Hamas", BTA reports.
The document emphasizes the "close cooperation" between the two countries and their "common interests". The decree promises to "guarantee the security and territorial integrity of Qatar against external attacks".
"The United States must consider any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, and critical infrastructure of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States," the text reads.
In the event of an attack, the United States will take all lawful and appropriate measures - diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military - to protect the interests of both countries and to restore peace and stability.
The decree was issued during the visit to Washington of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. During the meeting, Trump organized a conversation between Netanyahu and representatives of Qatar, during which Netanyahu expressed "deep regret" The strike, which killed six people, including a Qatari security official, the White House said.
It remains unclear how enforceable the order is, as international agreements typically must be approved by the U.S. Senate. However, some presidents - such as Barack Obama in 2015 regarding Iran - have taken similar actions without such approval.