Trump hosts Qatari PM in New York after 'Israeli' strike in Doha

US President Donald Trump met with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani in New York on Friday, just days after an 'Israeli' strike in Doha targeted senior Hamas leaders, Reuters reported.

The attempted assassination on Tuesday, carried out in the heart of Qatar’s capital, was widely condemned by governments and rights groups as a dangerous move that could upend US-backed efforts to secure a ceasefire in Gaza. The attack, according to critics, risked dragging Washington’s mediation role into uncertainty at a sensitive moment in the conflict.

Trump, who is seeking to distance Washington from unilateral 'Israeli' actions, reportedly phoned 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to express his irritation over the strike. He reassured Qatari officials that the US did not support such actions on their soil and would work to prevent a repeat.

At Friday’s dinner, Trump and Sheikh Mohammed were joined by US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Qatar’s deputy chief of mission Hamah Al-Muftah wrote on X, “Great dinner with POTUS. Just ended.” The White House confirmed the gathering but did not disclose further details.

Earlier in the day, al-Thani also held talks at the White House with Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. According to a source familiar with the meeting, discussions touched on Qatar’s mediation role in the Gaza genocide and future defense cooperation following the 'Israeli' strike.

Trump has privately voiced frustration with 'Israel’s' move, describing it as a step that served neither American nor 'Israeli' interests. Washington regards Qatar as a critical Gulf ally and a central mediator in ceasefire talks between 'Israel' and Hamas, including negotiations over the release of 'Israeli' captives held in Gaza and plans for the territory’s post-war governance.

Qatar’s prime minister earlier accused 'Israel' of attempting to “sabotage” peace efforts but insisted that Doha would continue its mediating role.