ISTANBUL 

The Trump administration has issued an executive order pledging to protect Qatar's security, including military intervention if the country is attacked.

The order came three weeks after Israel conducted airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders in Doha, which drew harsh criticism from both Qatari and US officials.

The order issued on Monday appears to reassure Qatar that such an attack will not occur again, stating that any strike on the country would be considered "a threat to the peace and security of the United States."

Qatar, home to the largest US military base in the Middle East, has long viewed the United States, like many of its Gulf neighbors, as a crucial security guarantor. This made Israel’s recent strike, despite its close ties with Washington, especially alarming for Qatari officials.

The executive order states that if Qatar comes under attack, the United States should “take all lawful and appropriate measures -- including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military -- to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar.”

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defended the September strikes, describing them as part of Israel’s long-standing objective to retaliate for the Hamas-led assault on southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023. Netanyahu has also accused Qatar of offering a “safe haven” to Hamas.

Later, Israel’s prime minister’s account on the US social media company X posted that Netanyahu, in a phone call with the Qatari prime minister, said: "Mr. Prime Minister, I want you to know that Israel regrets that one of your citizens was killed in our strike."

Israel has maintained unofficial ties with Qatar, which, alongside Egypt, has acted as a mediator in efforts to end the Gaza war.