President Trump is expected to meet on Friday evening in New York with Qatar's Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani and discuss the aftermath of the Israeli strike against Hamas leaders in Doha earlier this week, two sources with direct knowledge said.
Why it matters: The meeting with the Qatari prime minister is another way for Trump to signal his support for Qatar and opposition to the Israeli strike.
- For Al Thani, the meeting with Trump and other senior U.S. officials is part of a diplomatic push by Qatar to increase international pressure on Israel to end the war in Gaza.
Driving the news: The Qatari prime minister will arrive in Washington, D.C., on Friday morning and meet Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the White House, the State Department said.
- Two sources with knowledge said Al Thani planned to also meet with Vice President JD Vance. The vice president's office didn't respond to a request for comment.
- On Friday evening, the Qatari prime minister is expected to travel to New York for a meeting with Trump and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, the sources said.
- The White House didn't immediately respond to Axios' request for comment.
Between the lines: One of the issues Al Thani plans to discuss in his talks in Washington is a U.S.-Qatar security agreement, sources said.
- On Tuesday, after the Israeli strike, Trump instructed Rubio to accelerate the discussions on such an agreement.
- The Qataris want to use the Iranian strike on the U.S. base in Qatar and the Israeli strike on Hamas leaders in Doha as a way to get a more official security guarantee from the Trump administration.
What they're saying: At Qatar's request, the UN Security Council convened on Thursday to discuss the Israeli strike.
- Al Thani condemned the Israeli military's actions but stressed that Qatar will continue to play a "humanitarian and diplomatic role" around the war in Gaza.
- Qatar has been the key mediator on the Gaza hostage and ceasefire deals since Hamas' Oct. 7 attacks.
- "Hopefully, the Israeli strike in Qatar won't affect the Gaza negotiations. We want the hostages out and we want them out soon," Trump told reporters on Thursday.
Go deeper: Trump demanded Netanyahu commit not to strike Qatar again
